CDFW News

CDFW Seeks Artists to Enter Annual California Duck Stamp Art Contest

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:01:20 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites artists to submit their original artwork to the 2026-27 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. Submissions will be accepted May 11 through June 19.

Since 1971, CDFW’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California.

The artwork must depict the species selected by the California Fish and Game Commission, which is the greater white-fronted goose for the 2026-27 hunting season. White-fronted geese are brownish-gray with barring on the belly and a white forehead, often referred to as “specklebellies”. Whitefronts breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate to two main wintering regions – the Central Valley of California and the Mid-Continent Gulf region. They are often found in large flocks with other geese on wetlands and agricultural fields. Whitefronts leave roost areas before sunrise to feed in agricultural fields and can be seen (and heard) flying overhead at dawn.

Winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2026-27 California Duck Stamp. Top submissions are traditionally showcased at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s art show, which is scheduled to take place in July.

The contest is open to U.S. residents 18 years of age or older as of April 1, 2026. Entrants need not reside in California. Current and former CDFW employees are ineligible. All entries must be accompanied by a completed participation agreement and entry form. These forms and the official rules are available online at wildlife.ca.gov/duck-stamp/contest.

The design is to be in full color and in the medium (or combination of mediums) of the artist’s choosing, except that no photographic process, digital art, metallic paints or fluorescent paints may be used in the finished design. Photographs, computer-generated art, art produced from a computer printer or other computer/mechanical output device (air brush method excepted) are not eligible for entry and will be disqualified. 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.

Entries will be judged in June. The judges’ panel, which will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation and art and printing, will choose first-, second- and third-place winners, as well as honorable mention.

In past years, hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting license. Now California has moved to an automated licensing system and hunters are no longer required to carry the physical stamp in the field (proof of purchase prints directly onto the license). However, CDFW still produces the stamp, which can be requested by interested individuals. More information and a link to the order form can be found on CDFW’s Collector Stamps page.

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Media Contacts:
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641
Melanie Weaver, CDFW Wildlife Branch

Maryland Artist Wins California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:27:23 GMT

A painting of band-tailed pigeons has been chosen by a panel of judges as the winning entry in the 2025-26 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The painting was created by Diane Ford of Bethesda, Maryland.

Ford previously won the California Duck Stamp Art Contest in 2021. This is her first time winning the California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest.

Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the annual nationwide contest determined the official design for this year’s California Upland Game Bird Stamp.

Contest entries were judged by a panel of experts selected for their knowledge in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. Designs were judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

The judges appreciated the layout of the painting and complemented the balance in the composition, with one pigeon perched on a branch and another in flight. This highlighted the banded tails of each bird as well as their iridescent green neck feathers. The proportions and anatomical accuracy were excellent. The judges noted that the addition of toyon shrub was subtle enough to not detract from the birds but detailed enough to invoke a California coastal chaparral and scrub environment. The various shades of green contrasted with the red berries and played off the pigeons’ neck feathers, creating one cohesive scene.

Ford found inspiration for her painting in her love for pigeons, both domestic and wild. “I've been raising and rescuing homing pigeons for 20 years,” she said. “I used one of several birds in my coop as models. The band-tailed pigeons are similar in feathering.” She added the toyon shrub after learning band-tailed pigeons feed on it.

Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Indiana, placed second in this year’s competition. Ryan Kniss of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, received third. Larry Simons of Lebanon, Oregon, received honorable mention.

An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The validation replaces the stamp through CDFW’s Automated License Data System, but the stamp is still produced and available to hunters upon request. Monies generated from upland game bird validation sales are dedicated solely to upland game bird related conservation projects, hunting opportunities, public outreach and education. CDFW annually sells about 140,000 upland game bird validations and distributes approximately 24,000 stamps.

Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps. An order form is also available on the website for collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps.

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Media Contacts:
Matt Meshriy, CDFW Wildlife Branch
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641

CDFW Seeks Artists to Enter California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 16:01:08 GMT

Band-tailed pigeons. CDFW photo by Katherine Miller.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting its annual art contest to select the design for the state’s 2025-2026 upland game bird stamp. The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and older, excluding current and former CDFW employees.

The 2025-2026 stamp will feature the band-tailed pigeon. Entries will be accepted from Oct. 27 through Dec. 5.

The band-tailed pigeon is stately in stature, with a distinctive banded tail. Second only to the passenger pigeon in size, it is now the largest member of the family Columbidae in North America. Band-tailed pigeons are ornamented with patterned iridescent green-bronze feathers on the nape of their neck, topped by a white crescent. The pale grey-banded tail is most visible in flight and contrasts with slate-colored back feathers that transition to under parts with a subtle purplish hue. These gregarious birds migrate and forage in large flocks which helps them locate seeds, nuts and fruits and avoid predators in mature forest and woodland habitats. Band-tailed pigeons frequently visit mineral sites where they ingest water rich with minerals like sodium and calcium that are needed to supplement their diet. This behavior is most frequent during the nesting season when the need is greatest to support eggshell and chick bone development for the single offspring in each nesting attempt.  

Entries must include at least one band-tailed pigeon, preferably in a habitat or setting representative of California. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a judging event in December.

An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The money generated from stamp sales is dedicated to upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach. CDFW sells more than 130,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectible stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps. For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the website.

For contest information and entry forms, visit wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.

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Media Contacts:
Matt Meshriy, CDFW Wildlife Branch
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641

Oregon Artist Wins California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:38:23 GMT

A painting of white-winged doves has been chosen by a panel of judges as the winning entry in the 2024-25 California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest. The painting was created by Kathy Holeman of The Dalles, Oregon.

Sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the annual nationwide contest determined the official design for this year’s California Upland Game Bird Stamp.

Judges were immediately struck by the color in the painting, noting the contrast between the vibrant blue sky and the pink flowers of the beavertail prickly pear cactus. The white-winged doves sitting atop the cactus also popped against the background, the sky mirrored in the blue rings around their eyes, creating a sense of cohesion throughout the scene. Judges appreciated the use of multiple doves and the opportunity to showcase different body positions, as well as accuracy in posture, and the depth, texture and shading of the foreground against the sky. All in all, judges praised the painting as a unique, eye-pleasing composition that drew focus to the doves.

This is exactly what Holeman intended. “This painting was made even more fun by including cacti, and surrounding the composition with blue sky helped to make the scene pop more,” she said. Holeman enjoyed focusing on the subtle color shifts in their plumage, the bright blue eye rings and their brilliant orange eyes. “It is always a challenge to paint birds and capture them in a way that interprets their natural beauty and spirit,” she added. “This painting was no less a challenge and yet I felt like I knew the species better and had a greater appreciation for them after I finished.”

Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Indiana, placed second in this year’s competition. Xochitl Acosta Brent of Redwood City, California, received third. Ryan Kniss of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, received an honorable mention.

Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectable stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps page. An order form is also available on the website for collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps.

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Media Contacts:
Matt Meshriy, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 801-8708
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641

CDFW Seeks Artists to Enter California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 14:24:38 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is conducting its annual art contest to select the design for the state’s 2024-2025 upland game bird stamp. The California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and older, excluding current and former CDFW employees. The 2024-2025 stamp will feature the white-winged dove, and entries will be accepted from Oct. 28 through Dec. 6.

The white-winged dove is slightly larger and a bit more plump than the mourning dove. These brown-gray doves have a white edge to their folded wing and a dark cheek line. The iris of an adult is red and is set off by a brilliant blue “eyeshadow”. In flight, this dove surprises with white-tipped outer tail feathers, while the white coverts become a flashy mid-wing stripe standing boldly against its dark primary feathers. White-winged doves now commonly breed in the arid southern desert region of the state between April and August. Though they are regular visitors in agricultural communities, their occurrence here is thought to be recent and in part supported by the filling of the Salton Sea. White-winged doves mostly overwinter in Mexico and Central America and play an important ecological role in aiding the pollination of the giant saguaro cactus. While the doves utilize the fruit and nectar of the cactus, they also aid the cactus in distributing its seeds.

Entries must include at least one white-winged dove, preferably in a habitat or setting representative of California. Entries will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

The contest will be judged by a panel of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a judging event in December.

An upland game bird validation is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The money generated from stamp sales is dedicated to upland game bird-related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach. CDFW sells more than 150,000 upland game bird validations annually. Any individual who purchases an upland game bird validation may request their free collectible stamp by visiting wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps. For collectors who do not purchase a hunting license or upland game bird validation, or for hunters who wish to purchase additional collectible stamps, an order form is also available on the website.

For contest information and entry forms, visit wildlife.ca.gov/upland-game-bird-stamp.

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Media Contacts:
Matt Meshriy, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 322-6709
Amanda McDermott, CDFW Communications, (916) 738-9641