Entry Form for 20## Federal Duck Stamp Contest

OMB Control No. 1018-####
Expiration Date ##/##/####

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

2018 Federal Duck Stamp
Art Contest
Information, Entry Form and
Regulations

Dear Artist:
Please read all of the
enclosed information very
carefully and follow the
instructions. If you do not
follow the instructions
completely, your
entry may be disqualified
from the contest.
All entries must be
postmarked by midnight
August 15, 2018.

2017 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Winner Artist: Robert Hautman
Species: Mallard

Please submit your entry to:
Federal Duck Stamp Contest
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Duck Stamp Office MS:MB
5275 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041

Summary of Key Points
Who can enter the Federal Duck
Stamp Contest?

All U.S. citizens, nationals or resident aliens
are eligible to participate. However, all
entrants must be at least 18 years of age by
June 1. Contest judges and their relatives,
and employees of the Federal Duck Stamp
Office are ineligible to submit entries.

Why do you have a contest?

The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is
mandated by law and carried out by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. It offers this
country’s wildlife artists the opportunity to
have their designs considered to grace the
Federal Duck Stamp. Winning the Federal
Duck Stamp Contest not only lends prestige
to the chosen artist, but also can serve as a
catalyst in building a successful career in
wildlife art.

What can I send to the contest?

A Federal Duck Stamp Contest art entry
consists of a two-dimensional design. The
regulations for the contest do not specify
a medium.
Judges are instructed to look for scenes
depicting live birds in their natural habitat.
In 2018 judges will also be instructed to
choose a scene that will best illustrate the
theme "celebrating our waterfowl hunting
heritage." It will be mandatory for your
image to include one or more appropriate
hunting-related accessories and/or themes
that reflect this. This could include decoys,
dogs, hunting blinds or other hunting
images. Only five species of waterfowl are
allowed each year for consideration. The
eligible species must be the dominant
feature in the design and must be alive. This
means it must be noticeably larger than any
other elements you may wish to include.
Judges will also be looking for images that
will reproduce well as a stamp.
Each entry must be accompanied by the
Display, Participation & Reproduction
Rights Agreement (see page 7) and an entry
fee of $125. The fee must be a certified
check, cashier’s check, or money order
made payable to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service. No personal checks or cash will be
accepted. If you send a personal check or
cash your painting will be disqualified.
Entries must be uniform in size. Each entry
must be 7” x 10” and matted over with
bright white matting. The matting must be
1” wide. Total size (entry with matting) must
be 9” x 12”. (See the diagram on page 5.) We
recommend you use a 1/8” masonite board
or foamcore with 1⁄8” matting to equal the
total width of 1/4” thick. Any entry
exceeding 1/4” thick will be disqualified.

When do I send in my entry?

Entries are accepted beginning June 1 of
each year and must be postmarked no later
than midnight on August 15. There is no
exception made for holidays and weekends.
Entries are cataloged and assigned
numbers based on date of receipt in the
Federal Duck Stamp Office. Entries will be
returned after the contest in packaging
determined by the Federal Duck Stamp
Office. No packaging materials will be
returned.

Where do I send my entry?

All entries must be sent to the address listed
below:
Federal Duck Stamp Contest
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service MS:MB
5275 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041

How do I prepare my entry?

Each artist should have a working
knowledge in three major areas of special
interest to Federal Duck Stamp Contest
judges:
• Basic Waterfowl Biology—for example, if
you choose to depict a spring scene,
is the bird’s plumage correct for that
season?
• Artistic Composition—is the image
artistically interesting and does it “pop”
when you look at it?
• Suitability for printing at a reduced size
—the image provides the design for a 1 3/4”
L x 1 1/2” W stamp. Considering the
amount of detail you wish to include, do
you think it will show well in this reduced
size?

What are the eligible species for this
year?
• Wood Duck
• American Wigeon
• Northern Pintail
• Green-winged Teal
• Lesser Scaup

What does the winning artist receive?

The artist will receive publicity and media
recognition. He/she will also travel and be
recognized as guest speaker at several
prestigious national waterfowl festivals and
wildlife art events. The artist receives a pane
of his or her Duck Stamps signed by the
Secretary of the Interior. Finally, the winner
can choose to market the winning image
and any other works as “by the Federal Duck
Stamp artist.” (Note: Any publishing
contract that might be offered to the
winning artist is between the artist and
publisher. The Federal Government does
not guarantee any contract will be offered.
The Government assumes no liability,
responsibility, nor claims any interest in
resulting publishing contracts.)

Why is this important and why should
I enter?

The Federal Duck Stamp Program raises
approximately $40 million each year to help
protect vital wetland habitat in our National
Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, the sale
of Federal Duck Stamps has raised more
than $1 billion to help purchase almost 6
million acres of wetlands, land that everyone
can enjoy for generations to come. Enter the
contest and you may become a part of this
legacy. Each entry exemplifies art for
conservation’s sake.

Design Checklist for 2018
Have you included one or more
of the 2018 eligible species? Is it
alive and the dominant part of
your entry?
Have you included an
appropriate hunting-related
accessory or scene that
illustrates the theme
"celebrating our waterfowl
hunting heritage"?
Is your entry free of all writing
on its face? This includes bird
band numbers and signatures!!!
No writing is allowed on the
front of your entry.

Contest
regulations
ParT 91—MIgraTory BIrD HUnTIng anD
ConServaTIon STaMP ConTeST
Subpart a—Introduction
Sec.
91.1 Purpose of regulations.
91.2 Definitions.
91.3 Public attendance at contest.
91.4 Eligible species.

Subpart B—Procedures for entering the Contest
91.11 Contest deadlines.
91.12 Contest eligibility.
91.13 Technical requirements for design and
submission of entry.
91.14 Restrictions on subject matter of entry.
91.16 Submission procedures for entry.
91.17 Property insurance for entries.
91.18 Failure to comply with contest
regulations.
Subpart C—Procedures for administering the
Contest
91.21 Selection and qualification of contest
judges.
91.22 Display of entries for contest.
91.23 Scoring criteria for contest.
91.24 Contest procedures.
Subpart D—Post-Contest Procedures
91.31 Return of entries after contest.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 718j;
31 U.S.C. 9701.

SUBParT a—InTroDUCTIon
§91.1 Purpose of regulations.
(a) The purpose of these regulations is to
establish procedures for selecting a design
that will be used for the annual Migratory
Bird Hunting and Conser vation Stamp
(Federal Duck Stamp).
(b) All individuals entering the contest
must comply with these regulations. A copy
of the regulations along with the reproduction
rights and display and participation agreements may be requested from the Federal
Duck Stamp Office, U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service MS:MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls
Church, VA 22041.
§91.2 Definitions.
Contest Coordinator—the contest official
responsible for overseeing the judges’ scores
for each entry. The contest coordinator will be
named by the Secretary of the Interior and
will not be a past or present employee of the
Fish and Wildlife Service.
Display and participation agreement—
a document that each contestant must
complete, sign and submit with the entry.
The signed agreement permits the Service
to display the entry at various locations for
promotional purposes, and requires the artist to participate in events on behalf of the
Federal Duck Stamp Program.

Qualifying entry—each original work of
art submitted to the contest that satisfies the
requirements outlined in Subpart B.
Reproduction rights agreement—a
document that each contestant must sign and
submit with the entry. The signed agreement
certifies that the entry is an original work of
art and stipulates how the Fish and Wildlife
Service may use the winning entry.
§91.3 Public attendance at contest.
All phases of the voting process will be open
for viewing by the general public.
§91.4 eligible species.
Five or fewer of the species listed below will
be identified as eligible each year, those
eligible species will be provided to each contestant with the information provided in §91.1.
(a) Whistling-Ducks.
(1) Fulvous Whistling-Duck
(Dendrocygna bicolor)
(2) Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
(Dendrocygna autumnalis)
(b) Geese.
(1) Emperor Goose (Anser canagica)
(2) Snow Goose (including "white" and "blue"
morphs) (Anser caerulescens)
(3) Ross’ Goose (Anser rossii)
(4) Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser
albifrons)
(5) Brant (Branta bernicla)
(6) Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii)
(7) Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
(c) Swans.
(1) Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
(2) Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
(d) Dabbling Ducks.
(1) Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
(2) Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
(3) Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera)
(4) Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
(5) Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
(6) American Widgeon (Mareca americana)
(7) Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
(8) American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
(9) Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula)
(10)Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
(11)Green-winged Teal (Anas creca)
(e) Diving Ducks.
(1) Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)
(2) Redhead (Aythya americana)
(3) Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)
(4) Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)
(5) Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
(f) Sea-Ducks.
(1) Steller’s Eider (Polysticta stelleri)
(2) Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri)
(3) King Eider (Somateria spectabilis)
(4) Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
(5) Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
(6) Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)
(7) White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca)
(8) Black Scoter (Melanitta americana)
(9) Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)
(10) Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
(11) Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
(12) Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)

(h)

Mergansers.

(1) Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes

cucullatus)

(2) Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)
(3) Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus

serrator)

(i) Stiff Tails.
(1) Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

SUBParT B—ProCeDUreS For enTerIng
THe ConTeST
§91.11 Contest opening date and entry deadline.
The contest officially opens on June 1 of each
year. Entries must be postmarked no later than
midnight, August 15.
§91.12 Contest eligibility.
United States citizens, nationals, or
resident aliens are eligible to participate in the
contest. Any person who has won the federal
contest during the preceding three years will
not be eligible to submit an entry in the current year’s contest. All entrants must be 18
years of age as of June 1 to participate in the
Federal Duck Stamp Contest. Contest judges
and their relatives are ineligible to submit
an entry. All entrants must submit a nonrefundable fee of $125.00 by a cashier's check,
certified check, or money order made payable
to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Personal
checks will not be accepted.) All entrants must
submit signed Reproduction Rights and
Display and Participation Agreements.
§91.13 Technical requirements for design and
submission of entry.
The design must be a horizontal drawing
or painting seven (7) inches high and ten (10)
inches wide. The entry may be drawn in any
medium desired by the contestant and may
be in either multicolor or black and white. No
scrollwork, lettering, bird band numbers, signatures or initials may appear on the design.
Each entry must be matted (over only) with
a nine (9) inch by twelve (12) inch white mat,
one (1) inch wide, and the entire entry cannot
exceed one quarter (1/4) inch in total thickness.
Entries must not be framed, under glass, or
have a protective covering that is attached to
the entry.
§91.14 restrictions on subject matter of entry.
(a) A live portrayal of any bird(s) of the five
or fewer identified eligible waterfowl species
must be the dominant feature of the design.
The design may depict more than one of the
eligible species. The judges’ overall mandate is
to select the best design that will make an
interesting, useful, and attractive duck stamp
that will be accepted and prized by hunters,
stamp collectors, conservationists, and others.
The design must be the contestant’s original
hand-drawn creation. The entry design may
not be copied or duplicated from previously
published art, including photographs, or from
images in any format published on the
Internet. Photographs, computer-generated
art, or art produced from a computer printer
2014 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Regulations  33

or other computer/mechanical output device
(airbrush method excepted) are not eligible to
be entered into the contest and will be
disqualified. An entry submitted in a prior
contest that was not selected for a Federal or
State stamp design may be submitted in the
current contest if the entry meets the criteria set
forth in this section.
(b) In addition to the restrictions set forth in
paragraph (a), in 2018 only, designs will also be
required to include appropriate hunting-related
accessories and/or scenes celebrating the
Federal Duck Stamp's long-standing connection
as part of our Nation's waterfowl hunting
heritage and the contributions to conservation
made by waterfowl hunters. Designs may
include, but are not limited to, hunting dogs,
hunting scenes, hunting equipment, waterfowl
decoys, managed waterfowl areas as the
background of habitat scenes, or other designs
that represent our waterfowl hunting heritage.
The design chosen will clearly meet the theme
of “celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage.”
§91.16 Submission procedures for entry.
(a) Each contestant may submit only one
entry. Each entry must be accompanied by a
non-refundable entrance fee and a completed
and signed Reproduction Rights Agreement
and a completed and signed Display and
Participation Agreement. The bottom portion
of the Reproduction Rights Agreement must
be attached to the back of the entry.
(b) Each entry should be appropriately
wrapped to protect the artwork and sent by
registered mail, certified mail, express mail,
overnight delivery service, or hand delivered to:
Federal Duck Stamp Contest
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service MS:MB
5275 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041
§91.17 Property insurance for entries.
Each contestant is responsible for obtain-ing
adequate insurance coverage for his/her entry.
The Department of the Interior
will not insure the entries it receives. The
Department of the Interior is not responsible
for loss or damage unless it is caused by its
negligence or willful misconduct; in any event,
the liability of the Department of the Interior
will not exceed the amount of the entry fee as
specified in Section 91.12.
§91.18 Failure to comply with contest regulations.
Any entry that does not comply with the
requirements of Subpart B will be disqualified
from the contest. Entry fees for disqualified
entries will not be returned.

SUBParT C—ProCeDUreS For
aDMInISTerIng THe ConTeST

§91.21 Selection and qualification of contest
judges.
(a) Selection: Five voting judges and one
alternate judge will be selected annually by the
Secretary of the Interior. Current employ-ees of
the Fish and Wildlife Service and their relatives
are ineligible to serve as judges for the contest.
The judges will be reimbursed for reasonable
travel expenses. The judges will be announced on
4
4  2014 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Regulations

(g) In the second round of judging, each
entry selected in the first round, plus the
(b) Qualifications:
additional entries selected by judges, will
(1) The panel of five judges will be made
be shown one at a time to the judges by the
up of individuals, all of whom have one or more Contest Coordinator or by a contest staff
of the following prerequi-sites: recognized art
member. The judges will vote by indicating a
credentials, knowledge of the anatomical make numerical score from one to five for each entry.
up and the natural habitat of the eligible
The scores will be totaled to provide
waterfowl species, an understanding of the
the entry score. The entries receiving the five
wildlife sporting world in which the Duck
highest scores will be advanced to the third
Stamp is used, an awareness of philately and
round of judging.
the role the Duck Stamp plays in stamp
(h) In the third round of judging, the judg-es
collecting, and demonstrated support for the
will vote on the remaining entries using the same
conservation of waterfowl and wetlands
method as in round two, except they will indicate
through active involvement in the conservation a numerical score from 3 to 5 for each entry. The
community.
Contest Coordinator will tabulate the final votes
(2) In 2018 only it will also be mandatory
and present them to the Director, U.S. Fish and
that all selected judges have an understanding and Wildlife Service, who will announce the winning
appreciation of the waterfowl hunting heritage and entry as well as the entries that placed second
be able to recognize waterfowl hunting accessories. and third.
(i) In case of a tie vote for first, second, or
§91.22 Display of entries for contest.
third place in the third round, the judges will
All eligible entries will be publicly dis-played
vote again on the entries that are tied. The
in numerical order. The only visible
judges will vote using the same method as in
round three.
identification on each entry will be the num(j) The selection of the winning entry
ber assigned to it in chronological order when
by the judges will be final. Each contestant will
it is received and processed by the Service.
be notified of the winning artist and the design.
The winning artist will receive a pane of Duck
§91.23 Scoring criteria for contest.
Stamps, or similar quality memento portraying their
(a) Entries will be judged on the basis of
current Federal Duck Stamp, signed by the Secretary
anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and
of the Interior at the Federal Duck Stamp Contest the
suitability for reduction in the production of a
following year. At the discretion of the Service, other
stamp.
artists who substantially assist with the design of the
(b) In 2018 only, it will also be mandatory
final stamp will receive formal recognition during the
that all selected judges have an understanding
following year’s contest. At the discretion of the
and appreciation of the waterfowl hunting
Service, artists placing in Round 3 may receive a
heritage and be able to recognize waterfowl
nonmonetary award to acknowledge their
participation and success in this prestigious art
hunting accessories.
contest.
§91.24 Contest procedures.
(a) The day before the judging begins,
SUBParT D—PoST-ConTeST ProCeDUreS

the first day of the contest.

the judges will be briefed on all aspects of the
judging procedures and other details of the
competition, and will preview all eligible
artwork entered.
(b) Prior to the first round of judging,
and prior to the opening of the contest to the
public, the judges will spend additional time in
the auditorium reviewing the entries on the
day of the contest.
(c) In the first round of judging all qualified entries will be shown one at a time to the
judges by the Contest Coordinator or a contest staff member. The judges will vote “in” or
“out” on each entry; those entries receiving a
majority of votes “in” will be eligible for the
second round of judging. The remaining
entries will be placed on display as a group for
public viewing.
(d) Prior to the second round of judging,
each judge may select not more than five
entries from those eliminated in the first
round. Those additional entries selected by the
judges will be eligible to be judged in the
second round.
(e) Prior to the second round of judging, the
entries selected by the judges under the
procedures of paragraphs (c) and (d) of this
section will be displayed in numerical order in the
front of the auditorium.
(f) The technical advisors from the
Department of the Interior and the U.S. Postal
Service will do a critical analysis of the entries that
will be judged in the second round and advise the
judges of any serious anatomical problems.

§91.31 return of entries after contest.
All entries will be returned by commercial
shipping service to the participating artists within 120 days after the contest unless
the artwork is selected to appear at one or more
wildlife art expositions. Entries will be returned
in packaging determined by the Federal Duck
Stamp Office. No specialty
boxes or art cases will be returned. If artwork is
returned to the Service because it is unde-livered
or unclaimed (this may happen if an artist
changes address), the Service will not
be obligated to trace the location of the artist
to return the artwork. Any artist who changes his
or her address is responsible for notifying the Service of the change. All unclaimed
entries will be destroyed one year from the date
of the contest.

Duck Stamp Contest
Duck
Stamp Contest
Submission
Format
12"

2012 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Entry must be matted “over” and
the matting affixed to the front of the
painting. The painting will be placed in a
carrier that covers the information on the
back
the painting
to provide
anonymity.
y of
must
be matted
“over”
and
In order to ensure that we are able to place
the paintings in the carriers, do not make
your entry any thicker than 1/4" or it will be
rier that covers the information on the
disqualified.

mit anonymity.

10"
9"

Suggestion: Use a 1/8" thick Masonite
or do not
riers,
foamcore for your entry, then use a 1/8"
y any thicker than ¼" or
thick mat to place on top to form 1/4" total
thickness of entry.

7"

: Useof1/8"″thick
Also, for purposes
stability of masonite
the entry,
1/8"″thick
please use a 9"y,xthen
12" artuse
board
with a 9" xmat
12" to
mat, rather than a 7"x 10"
art board
m 1/4"
totalcovered
thickness
by a 9"y.x 12" mat.

1"
1"
< 1/4"

Be sure
allow ample
prior toofshipping,
Also,
fortopurposes
oftime,
stability
the
for varnish and paint to fully dry to avoid
entry,
please
use
9"×
12"
art
board
with
damage to your artwork.
a 9"″× 12"″mat, not a 7" × 10"″art board
covered
by a 9"your
× 12"″
When mailing
entrymat.
to the Federal
Duck Stamp Office, please pack your

carefully
use stiff
Beartwork
sure to
allow and
ample
timepacking
for varnish
material
to
ensure
that
the
will not be
and paint to dry to avoidartdamage
to your
bent or damaged in transit. Bubble wrap or
artwork.
bubble wrap mailing pouches should be
placed in hard sided boxes to protect
When
mailing your entry to the
artwork. It is recommended that you ship
Federal
Duckthrough
Stampa Office,
your package
shippingPlease
company
pack
artwork
thatyour
provide
trackingcarefully
services. and use a

stiff packaging material to insure that
the art will not be bent or damaged in
transit. Bubble wrap or bubble wrap
mailing pouches must be placed in hard
sided boxes to protect the artwork. It
is recommended that you ship your
package through a shipping company
that provides tracking services.

Eligible species for upcoming
Federal Duck Stamp Contests will be
decided and posted online no later
than January
of the
Contest year for
eligible
Species1for
Upcoming
whichDuck
they will
be judged.
Federal
Stamp
Contests
2012
(1) Brant
(2) Northern Shoveler
(3) Ruddy Duck
(4) Canada Goose
(5) Common Goldeneye

2015
The four remaining from 2013; plus the
Trumpeter Swan*

2013
(1) Mallard
(2) Canvasback

2017
The Federal
four remaining
from
2015;
plus the 5
2014
Duck Stamp
Contest
Regulations 
Harlequin Duck

2016
The four remaining from 2014; plus the
Steller's Eider

Display and Participation Agreement
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
continues to promote greater public
awareness of the Federal Duck Stamp and its
many contributions to wetland and
waterfowl conservation. To assist in and
facilitate this promotional effort, the FWS
has sought out the participation and
cooperation of various wildlife oriented art
exhibitors for the purpose of displaying
selected entries during the year following the
contest. The artist’s name, city, and state will
be shown next to each entry. No effort will be
made to sell any entry. If an artist’s entry is
selected to be on display, it may mean that
the entry will not be returned to the artist
within the 120 days after the contest
in which all other entries are normally
returned.
Approximately 20 of the highest ranked
entries from the Federal Duck Stamp
Contest may appear on display at special
events throughout the country. Please check
our web site at http://www.fws.gov/birds/
get-involved/duck-stamp/federal-duckstamp-art-exhibit-tour.php for the latest
touring exhibit schedule.

The winning artist must agree to participate
in the following events to help promote the
Federal Duck Stamp Program. Some
transportation and lodging will be paid by the
organizations indicated.

Easton Waterfowl Festival, Easton, MD

— the second full weekend of November. The
festival will pay for lodging; the Federal Duck
Stamp Program will pay for transportation.
Four days.
www.waterfowlfestival.org

The Wildlife Art Festival,
San Bernardino County, CA, mid-

November.
The festival will pay for transportation and
lodging. Three days.

National Junior Duck Stamp Art
Contest, mid-April.

The Federal Duck Stamp Program
will pay for transportation and lodging
according to current Federal Government per
diem rates. One day.

First Day Ceremony, approximately the

end of June – July 1.
The Federal Duck Stamp Program
will pay for transportation and lodging
according to current Federal Government per
diem rates. One day.

Artist’s Hometown Event, date and

location to be determined. All expenses paid
by the artist or partners.

It is required at a minimum, that the artist
spend one peak attendance day (as
determined by the Federal Duck Stamp
Office) at each of these events.
The winning artist will assist in promoting
the Federal Duck Stamp Program by
providing autographs without charge to the
public or the Federal Government.
The Federal Government will assume no
responsibility for the safekeeping
or loss of the entries once accepted by the
management of the exhibitions and until
returned from the exhibitions
to Government custody. It is strongly
suggested that each artist insure his/her art
before sending it to the Federal Duck
Stamp Office.
The winning artist will be required
to provide the following artwork by February
(a) a line drawing for the postal cancellation
for the first day of sale of the Federal Duck
Stamp; (b) if the artist decides to have a
hometown sales event, another line drawing
will be required for the postal cancellation
for that event; (c) two remarques to be
depicted on the first and third year of the
individual Artist’s Appreciation Card.
Signature on this agreement is a prerequisite
for entering any Federal Duck Stamp
Contest; failure to sign will result in the
disqualification of your entry.

Following Year Federal Duck Stamp
Contest, date and location to be determined. NOTE: All requirements cited above
The Federal Duck Stamp Program will pay for will be subject to negotiation when
extenuating circumstances exist for the
transportation and lodging according to
artist. Although all extenuating
current Federal Government per diem rates.
circumstances are not listed in this
Three days.
document, some examples are: (1)
J.N. “Ding” Darling Birthday Event, J.N.
health of the artist does not permit the
“Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge,
artist to travel to some or any of the
Sanibel, FL — mid-October. The J.N. “Ding” events identified; (2) the home of the
Darling Society will pay for transportation.
artist is located in an area so remote as
Lodging is at the artist’s expense.
to make attendance at the scheduled
www.dingdarlingsociety.org/dingdarlingdays event impossible; and (3) emergencies
prohibit the artist from participating.
The winning artist may be asked to
participate in several annual stamp events at
the artist’s expense to support the Federal
Duck Stamp Program.

The winning artist may be asked to make
brief remarks at several events
to promote the Federal Duck Stamp Program.
6  2014 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Regulations

In addition, the stampdesign may be made available,
without
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The undersigned Artist, who has prepared and submitted an
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without
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original design to the Federal Duck Stamp Contest, U.S. Fish &
without
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reproduction
for
available,
16
U.S.C.
Section
718e(c).
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for commercial
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Northdesign
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commercial
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16 U.S.C. Section 718e(c).
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4401
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6. If the Artist and/or his/her publisher decide to reproduce the original
waive
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the FWS.
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promote
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the
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Further,
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the winning
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not
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the
120
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for
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If the Artist
his/her
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posters,
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as prepared by the Artist and
200
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has been
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originalthe
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andMigratory
copies and BirdAgreement,
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the original
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The
stampand
design
basedon the
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Hunting
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has
completed.
reproductions
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distributed
bybeen
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to
and Conservation
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authorized
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8. Any
and all reproduction
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original
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and
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and
the FWS
the
termsmade
of this
The
design copying
basedon
Artist’s
original design by
design
theunder
stamp
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orAgreement,
authorized
othersstamp
for reproduction,
andthe
publishing
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to 16or
U.S.C.
Section
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reproductions
published
and copies
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printing
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may be copiedmay
and be
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and by pursuant
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the
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reproductions
mayfor
be reproduction,
published andcopying
distributed
except the modeling and printing of theand
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publishing
forothers
educational
or informational
purposes.
reproductions
thereof
authorized
pursuant
the
FWS
to
for reproduction,
copying
and
artist
Signature
Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, andto 16
publishing for educational or informational purposes. reproductions thereof authorized pursuant to 16

U.S.C. Section 718e(c), specifically shall indicate that
the
original
has 718e(c),
been
designed
the
Artist.
U.S.C.
Section
specifically
shall
indicate
that
shall
indicate
that the
original
hasby
been
designed
by the Artist.
specifically
the original has been designed by the Artist.
9. The Artist affirms that his/her entry is a
The Artist affirms
that his/her
entry
is a drawing of his/her
ownnor
9.drawing
of his/her
own
creation,
9. The Artist
affirms
that
his/herneither
entry iscopied
a
creation,
neither
copied
norown
duplicated
from previously
art,
duplicated
previously
published
art,published
including
drawing
offrom
his/her
creation,
neither
copied
nor
paintings,
drawings
ininany
medium,
orart,
published
including
paintings,
drawings
any medium,
or published
duplicated
from
previously
published
including
photographs;
orimages
fromof
of any kind
previously
photograph;
or from
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kind
previously
published
on the
paintings,
drawings
inimages
any
medium,
or
published
published
on the
Internet.
photographs;
or
from
images
of
any
kind
previously
Intranet.
published on the Internet.
10. The Artist agrees that if selected for the stamp,
The
ArtistArtist
agrees
that
if selected
forifwill
the
stamp,
thefor
Artist’s
original
10.
the
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original
design
be used
bythe
the
stamp
10.
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agrees
that
selected
stamp,
printer
asused
theoriginal
for
creating
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stamp
design
be
bybasis
the stamp
printer
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basis
for creating
the will
Artist’s
design
will
used
bydesign,
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and
agrees
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inthat
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so, so,
changes
maybebe
made
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design,
agrees
in doing
changes
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to the
printer
asand
the
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the may
stamp
design,
to
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Artist’s
original
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at
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the
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thatatinthedoing
so,ofchanges
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discretion
the stampmay
printer.be made
stamp
printer.
to the Artist’s original design at the discretion of the
stamp printer.
mutually
agreed that
no Member
to Congress
11.
11.It isIt
is mutually
agreed
that or
noDelegate
Member
of or shall
Delegate
to Congress
shallthat
participate
in any
part
participate
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part of the
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or receive
any
benefitof
11. It is
mutually
agreed
no Member
of or
this
contract/agreement
or receive
fromof
from
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agreement
(41 U.S.C. Section
22). any benefit
Delegate
to Congress
shall
participate
in any part
this
(41 U.S.C.orSection
thisagreement
contract/agreement
receive22).
any benefit from
this agreement
U.S.C.
Section
22).
12.
Artist
agreesagrees
to(41
provide
signature
for usesignature
on all Stampfor
12.The
The
artist
tohis/her
provide
his/her
at
no
cost
to
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Government.
products
use
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at no costfor
to
12. on
Theallartist
agrees
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provideproducts
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the
Government.
useFederal
on all Federal
Duck Stamp products at no cost to
13.the
TheFederal
information
below will be contained in an electronic database
Government.
13. The information
will
bebycontained
maintained
by the FWS andbelow
will not be
used
the FWS forin
anythe an
electronic
database maintained
by contained
the U.S. Fish
and
13. The
information
below
will
be
in the
purpose
other
than
to
register
the
Artist,
or,
if
needed,
to
respond
a an
Wildlife
Service
(FWS)
and will not
be used
by to
the
electronic
database
maintained
byofthe
U.S. Fish
and
information
request
under
the
Freedom
Information
Act
public
U.S.
Fish
and
Wildlife
Service
for
any
other
purpose
Wildlife Service (FWS) and will not be used by the
(FOIA).
other
than
to
register
the
Artist
or,
if
needed,
to
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for any other purpose
respond
to atopublic
information
under to
the
other than
register
the Artistrequest
or, if needed,
Freedom
of aInformation
Actan
(FOIA).
respond
to
publicbelow
information
request
NOTE:
The fields
marked
with
asterisk
(*) areunder
the onlythe
Freedom of
Information
Actadditional
(FOIA).information they
required
Artistmarked
may provide
Note:fields.
TheThe
fields
with an asterisk*
are the
necessary
so
that
the
FWS
may
contact
it is notmay
required
deem
only
required
fields.
Though
theanhim/her,
participant
Note:
The fields
marked
with
asterisk* are
the
by
the
FWS
to
participate.
Out
of
respect
for
your
privacy,
FWS
collects
provide
additional
information
they
deem
necessary
only required fields. Though the participant may
itprovide
isthe
not
required
by
the
FWS.
Out
of
respect
for
only
minimum
information
necessary
and
does
not
share
additional information they deem necessary
your
personal
FWS
ONLY
information
outsideprivacy,
the FWS.
it is not
required
by the
FWS.
OutCOLLECTS
of respect for
THE
MINIMUM
INFORMATION
NECESSARY.
your personal privacy,
FWS ONLY COLLECTS
THE MINIMUM INFORMATION NECESSARY.

*Date

Failure to sign this form will result in disqualification
*Street
Address
artist Signature

(No P.O. Boxes)

*Species
*Date

(No P.O. Boxes)

*Species

*City,
State,
and Zip
Failure
to sign
this form will result in disqualification
*Street Address
*Telephone
(Home)

––—–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––—–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
enclose
with
your
contest
entry––—–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––—–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
enclose
thisthis
partpart
with
your
contest
entry

2013 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
2013 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collects information necessary to consider your submission for the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. Information requested in this form
*City, State, and Zip
is purely voluntary. Failure to provide all required information may be sufficient cause for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reject your submission. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or
sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. OMB has approved this collection of information and assigned Control No. 1018-####. We
estimate
public reporting
for this collection of information to average 5 minutes, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding the
*Telephone
(Home)
burden estimate or any other aspect of the form to the Service Information Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: BPHC, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, or via email at
Info_Coll@fws.gov. Please do not send your completed form to this address.

Entry Form for 2018 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

entry Form for 2015 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

Cut
OMB Control No. 1018-#### Here
Cut
Expiration Date ##/##/#### Here

Attach this part to the back of your entry, and send your entry, entry fee and the Display, Participation & Reproduction Rights
Federal
U.S.send
Fish &
Wildlife
Leesburg Pike,
Falls Church, Rights
VA 22041.
Agreement
Attach thisto:part
to theDuck
back Stamp
of yourContest,
entry, and
your
entryService
and theMS:MB,
Display,5275
Participation
& Reproduction

To be used by FWS only
Entry Number

Agreement to:
Print
or Duck
Type Stamp Contest, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service MS:MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041.
Federal
*Name
*Species
Print or Type
*Street Address
*Name

(No P.O. Boxes)

*Medium Used
*Species

*City,
State,
and Zip
*Street
Address

(No P.O. Boxes)

*Medium Used

*City, State,(Home)
and Zip
*Telephone

(Work)

(Cell)

*Telephone
(Home)
Email
Address

(Work)

(Cell) of Birth
*Date

–

year

Email Address
*Date of Birth
–
Press Coverage: Name of Hometown Newspaper
month
year
Press Coverage:
Name
of Hometown Newspaper
Enclosed
find $125
non-refundable
entry fee in the form of a cashier’s check, certified check, or money order, payable to: U.S. Fish &

Wildlife
Service.
checksearly
and/or
are NOT accepted.
enclosed
find $125Personal
non-refundable
entrycash
fee postmarked
by August 15, 2015 (cashier's check, certified check or money order payable to:
Postmark by midnight August 15, 2018.

2014 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Regulations  7

attach
to the
back
of entry
attach
thisthis
partpart
to the
back
of entry

2013
Display,
Participation
&
2013
Display,
Participation
&
2018 Display, Participation &
Reproduction
Rights
Rights Reproduction
Agreement
Reproduction
Rights Agreement
Agreement

Federal Duck Stamp Office
Phone: 703/358 2145
Fax: 703/358 2282
Website: http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php

Helpful Hints for Preparing Your
Duck Stamp Art Design
Scoring criteria for contest.
“Entries will be judged on the basis of
anatomical accuracy, artistic composition
and suitability for reduction in the
production of a stamp. For 2018, entries
will also be judged on how well they
illustrate the theme of "celebrating our
waterfowl hunting heritage.”
Use bright, bold, pleasing, warm colors.
Make your species is the dominant main
focus of your entry.
Make sure the habitat is appropriate for
the species and its plumage.

Keep the design simple.
Remember, this art is going to be used
to produce a stamp — look at your
finished product at a reduced size so
that you will see what the judges see
when they are making a final decision.
Leave room around the outside edges of
the design for required stamp language
and the denomination.
Finally, remember that the first
impression a judge has of your entry
is a lasting one.
Good Luck!

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Conservation...
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Checklist
Don’t forget to:

Affix the Entry Form to the back of
your entry
Sign the Display, Participation &
Reproduction Rights Agreement
Include your $125 entry fee
(cashier’s check, certified check or
money order - NO PERSONAL
CHECKS ACCEPTED)