CDFW News

Indiana Artist Wins 2026 California Duck Stamp Art Contest

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:06:04 GMT

A painting by Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Ind., has been chosen as the winner of the 2026 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. Klinefelter’s painting, which depicts a greater white-fronted goose, will be the official design for the 2026-27 California Duck Stamp.

The judging was held in June, with entries evaluated by a panel of experts in ornithology, conservation, art and printing. Designs were judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.

Judge Andrea Mott, Migratory Game Bird Biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), was impressed by Klinefelter’s winning painting.

“Wow, just wow. This will make a charming stamp. The background is well-suited for California. The image is incredibly lifelike and detailed. It's a great representation of the species,” Mott said.

Diane Ford received second place in the competition; Donald Shlie received third place and Lee Hoemann received honorable mention.

The greater white-fronted goose, often referred to as a “specklebelly” or “speck” by waterfowl hunters, was selected by the California Fish and Game Commission as the species for the 2026-27 California Duck Stamp. The species is characterized by its brownish-gray body, barred belly and distinctive white forehead. Greater white-fronted geese breed in the Arctic tundra and migrate to wintering areas that include California’s Central Valley where they can be found in large flocks on wetlands and agricultural fields.

Klinefelter is an accomplished wildlife artist who has previously won California stamp art competitions. He won the 2020-21 California Duck Stamp Art Contest and has also won multiple California Upland Game Bird Stamp Art contests.

Artists from around the country submitted entries for the contest that was sponsored by CDFW. The annual competition was established in 1971 and is open to artists from across the United States, to attract a wide range of wildlife artists.

All proceeds generated from California Duck Stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California. Although hunters are no longer required to carry a physical stamp in the field because California’s automated licensing system provides proof of the purchase on the license, CDFW continues to produce the stamps, which are available to hunters and collectors upon request.

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Media Contacts:
Cort Klopping, CDFW Communications, (916) 201-2958
Melanie Weaver, CDFW Wildlife Branch

CDFW Seeks Artists to Enter Annual California Duck Stamp Art Contest

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 15:14:59 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites artists to submit their original artwork to the 2023-2024 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. Submissions will be accepted May 1 through June 9.

The artwork must depict the species selected by the California Fish and Game Commission, which for the 2023-2024 hunting season is the ring-necked duck. Often found in small flocks, these small to medium-sized diving ducks frequent shallower bodies of water including fresh marshes, wooded ponds and flooded agricultural fields. They are identified by their noticeably peaked head, which on males is an iridescent black that continues down across the back and chest. The namesake ring around their neck is usually difficult to see, but the prominent white bands around their bill are easily recognizable.

The winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2023-2024 California Duck Stamp. The 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 March 23, 2023. 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.

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. 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 stamps in the field (proof of purchase prints directly onto the license). However, CDFW will still produce the stamps, which can be requested by interested individuals at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps.

Photo Credit: Winning 2022-23 Duck Stamp painting of Canada geese by John Brennan.

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

Florida Artist Wins 2022 California Duck Stamp Art Contest

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 14:14:17 GMT

A painting by John Brennan of Lutz, Florida has been chosen as the winner of the 2022 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. The painting, which depicts three Canada geese, will be the official design for the 2022-2023 stamp.

The judges praised the anatomical accuracy of the geese and realistic quality of the painting, remarking that it looked almost like a photograph. They were impressed by the attention to detail, especially in the feathers and reflection on the water, and noted the contrast between the birds and the simplicity of the background. They also appreciated the composition – the decision to use three geese was unique and created an artistically pleasing image.

Brennan decided to enter the contest when he learned that the Canada goose would be this year’s species. “I find them to be a very elegant and versatile subject to paint,” he said, “considering their high-contrast head and cheeks and the warm tones of their body.” He was lucky enough to photograph these geese for reference at Yellowstone National Park. The glassy water made for some very interesting reflections and play of light. He decided to keep the composition clean and simple, so as not to distract from the beauty of the animals.

Artists from around the country submitted entries for the contest, sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Buck Spencer of Junction City, Oregon, placed second, Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Indiana, placed third and Michael Patrick Bailey of Los Angeles, California, received honorable mention.

The top four paintings will be displayed at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s Annual Classic Wildlife Art Festival in Sacramento, July 16-17.

Since 1971, the California Duck Stamp Program’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. The contest is open to artists from all 50 states in order to ensure a wide pool of submissions. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects within California.

In the past, hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting licenses. Today, hunters are no longer required to carry the stamps because California’s modern licensing system prints proof of additional fees paid directly onto the license. However, CDFW still produces the stamps, which can be requested on CDFW’s website at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps.

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

CDFW Seeks Artists to Enter Annual California Duck Stamp Art Contest

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:57:09 GMT

2021-22 winning duck stamp painting of gadwalls by Diane Ford.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites artists to submit their original artwork to the 2022-2023 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. Submissions will be accepted May 2 through June 10.

The artwork must depict the species selected by the California Fish and Game Commission, which for the 2022-2023 hunting season is the Canada goose. These large, easily recognizable waterfowl are the most widespread goose in North America and are found in a wide variety of habitats in California. While some nest in the state, others continue the age-old migration along the Pacific Flyway, flying north in the spring and south in the fall – a journey of up to 2,500 miles.

The winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2022-2023 California Duck Stamp. The 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 March 22, 2022. 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.

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