Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest

CDFW conducts an annual competition to select a design for the following year's Upland Game Bird Stamp. A signed and fully completed entry form and participation agreement must be submitted along with each entry.

Contest Entry Form and Participation Agreement (Word)

2020 Contest Rules

To enter, please read the rules and complete the Entry Form and Participant Agreement (Word), located at the top of this page, and submit with each entry.

1. Contest is open to U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older as of September 2, 2020. CDFW employees are ineligible.
2. Entries for the contest will be accepted from November 9, 2020 at 9 a.m. through December 4, 2020 at 4 p.m.
3. Each contestant may submit only one entry. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed and signed Participation Agreement Entry Form.
4. The primary subject of this year's California Upland Game Bird Stamp design is the mourning dove. A rendering of this species must appear prominently in the design. The design must include at least one mourning dove. If background detail is included in the design, it must be accurate and representative of the species’ natural habitat in California. Designs will be judged on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print.
5. The design is to be in full color and in the medium (or combination) 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 and will be disqualified.
6. The maximum image size cannot exceed 18 inches by 13 inches and must be horizontal. The maximum overall dimensions of the art cannot exceed 20 inches by 15 inches, including mat. Any mat used must be white.
7. The artist’s signature must not appear anywhere on the image.
8. None of the written information printed on a finished upland game bird stamp may appear on the painting or mat.
9. No scroll work, lettering or accent borders may appear on the painting or mat.
10. The painting must not be framed or under glass. Any acetate or other protective covering used must be lightly fastened to facilitate removal before judging.
11. Any winning design from another stamp contest (federal, state or private) is not eligible.
12. 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.
13. There shall be a period of 15 days immediately following the contest judging during which any artist may make a plagiarism claim against the winning design. In the event any such claim is upheld by CDFW, the first runner-up shall be declared the winning design, subject itself to a 15-day plagiarism claim period.
14. The artist shall retain the original art work. CDFW shall retain all rights and interest in the image and its use.
15. All contestants are advised that it is their responsibility to obtain adequate property insurance for their contest submission. CDFW will not insure any contest entry and CDFW assumes no liability for any damage, loss or theft of any entry.
16. Entries may be mailed, shipped or delivered in person to: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 1416 9th Street, Room 1280, Sacramento CA 95814. The art should be protectively packaged, and the exterior of the package and all protective materials should be labeled with the artist’s name.
17. The selection of the winning entry will take place as soon as possible after the closing date of the contest. 
18. All entries will be returned to the artists by January 15, 2021.
19. CDFW’s Office of Communications, Education and Outreach will select the judging panel. The judges will have expertise in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing, and will serve without compensation except reimbursement of related expenses.
20. Any entry that fails to comply with any of the requirements of this competition will be disqualified.