CDFW News

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

Dove Season Opening Sept. 1; Opportunities Available Throughout California

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 09:51:50 GMT

The first of two opening days of California’s dove hunting season is quickly approaching. Dove hunters will be able to hunt for mourning dove, white-winged dove, spotted dove and ringed turtle dove beginning Thursday, September 1 through Thursday, September 15, followed by a second hunting season, Saturday, November 12 through Monday, December 26.

The Sept. 1 dove opener is one of the most anticipated dates on the hunting calendar and is considered by many as the traditional start to California’s hunting seasons.

Mourning dove and white-winged dove have a daily bag limit of 15, up to 10 of which may be white-winged dove. The possession limit is triple the daily bag limit. There are no limits on spotted dove and ringed turtle dove. Hunting for Eurasian collared-dove is open year-round and there is no bag or possession limit. A dove identification guide (PDF) can be found on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website.

Hunters are reminded that nonlead ammunition is required for hunting doves and taking wildlife anywhere in California with a firearm.

Numerous dove hunting opportunities are available to the public for the first dove season at CDFW wildlife areas throughout the state. These areas include Upper Butte Basin, Gray Lodge, Yolo Bypass, North Grasslands, Los Banos and Imperial Valley wildlife areas, and Palo Verde Ecological Reserve. Many of these areas have been planted with food crops to attract and hold doves. Maps are available at some check station locations or online. Entry procedures vary from area to area and hunters are advised to call ahead in preparing for their hunt. Portions of Los Banos and North Grasslands wildlife areas are restricted to special permit holders until noon on September 1, after which they will open to public hunting for the remainder of the first season.

Additional public dove hunting opportunities are offered through CDFW’s Upland Game Wild Bird Hunts and SHARE programs. Dove hunting is considered a great starting point for new hunters. It’s often the first hunting season available to newly licensed hunters who completed their hunter education requirements in the off season. There is very little equipment needed, typically lots of fast wing-shooting action, camaraderie and plenty of public land hunting opportunities.

Doves are a favorite on the table and many dove hunters and their friends and families are already eagerly anticipating bacon-wrapped, jalapeño dove poppers on the grill among other favorite dove recipes.

Minimum hunting requirements are a valid hunting license and upland game bird validation (validation not required for Junior Hunting License holders), good footwear, a shotgun of almost any gauge, nonlead shotgun shells, a cooler with ice to store your birds and plenty of water for the typically hot weather. For more information and resources on dove hunting, CDFW’s Advanced Hunter Education program has videos to help get you started and CDFW’s R3 program has additional resources and videos available as well.

Mourning doves favor dry environments and can exploit many food types and sources. Most successful dove hunters will position themselves near paths to and from roost sites, water, food sources or gravel. Dove movement is most frequent in the early mornings and late evenings when they are flying from and to their roost sites, however late morning to early afternoon can still provide opportunities. Hunters should scout dove activity in the area a few times prior to hunting.

As a dove hunter, you may have a chance of encountering a banded dove. As of August 15, CDFW staff and volunteers have banded more than 1,100 doves throughout California. If you harvest a banded dove, please report the band to the U.S. Geological Survey (www.reportband.gov) to help further dove research.

CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab recently confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Eurasian H5N1 Avian Influenza in three wild birds found in Colusa and Glenn counties. If you suspect a dove to be infected with avian influenza or Trichomonas, please contact CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab by email or phone (916) 358-2790.

Important laws and regulations to consider include the following:

Shoot time for doves is one half hour before sunrise to sunset.
All hunters — including junior hunting license holders — are required to carry their hunting license with them.
Hunters must have written permission from the landowner prior to hunting on private land.
Bag limits apply to each hunter and no one can take more than one legal limit.
It is illegal to shoot within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling.
It is illegal to shoot from or across a public roadway.

It is the responsibility of every hunter to know and follow all laws.

Safety is the most important part of any hunting adventure. Safety glasses are a simple way to protect the eyes and are available in many shades for hunting in all types of lighting situations. Ear protection is also strongly recommended.

The weather throughout the state on September 1 is expected to be hot and dry. CDFW urges hunters to drink plenty of fluids, wear sun protection and have a plan in case of an accident.

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Media Contacts:
Taylor Williams, CDFW R3 Program, (916) 203-1362
Dan Skalos, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (916) 373-8829

Photo Credit:
Mourning dove, Donna / stock.adobe.com

CDFW Now Accepting Applications for Upland Game Bird Grants

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:02:26 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has opened the annual grant application period for projects that benefit upland game bird populations and the habitats upon which they depend. Projects should seek to ensure that sustainable populations of these species persist in perpetuity to provide continued hunting opportunity and other public uses. The full proposal solicitation notice (PDF) can be found on the CDFW website.

The funding comes from the Upland Game Bird Account, which is a dedicated account created by the California Legislature in 2010 under Fish and Game Code, section 3684. Excess monies from this account are available for expenditure through the Upland Game Bird Grant Program.

Eligible entities include landowners, public and private entities (including nonprofit organizations) and California Tribes. For-profit entities are not eligible.

Projects can support research; habitat restoration, enhancement and acquisition; or upland game bird hunting opportunity and outreach.

Applications must be received no later than midnight on Thursday, September 15. Applications may be submitted by email to uplandgamemgmt@wildlife.ca.gov (please include the subject line title of "2022 UGBA Grant Proposal”). Applications may also be sent via regular mail to:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Wildlife Branch
ATTN: 2022 UGBA Grant Proposal
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244

Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than September 15. Applications delivered by any other means (FedEx, UPS, hand delivery, etc.) must be delivered no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 15.

For general questions regarding this grant opportunity, please contact Dan Skalos at Dan.Skalos@wildlife.ca.gov.

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Media Contacts:
Dan Skalos, CDFW Upland Game Unit, (916) 698-1146
Ken Paglia, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

Photo:
Upland game hunting, CDFW file photo