RBC I This year’s species of focus is the Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos. The deadline for artist submissions is 4 p.m. on Nov. 20.
“It is amazing every year to see what the artists come up with,” said Tilman Bishop, a volunteer member of the Waterfowl Stamp Art Committee, which judges the entries. “The new artists who are starting out in this specialized category of art always catch my attention.”
The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program was implemented in 1990 and provides funding to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife.
Waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and older are required by state law to purchase a waterfowl stamp annually before hunting.
In addition to hunters, many collectors aid in wetland conservation by purchasing collector stamps and prints that are created from the winning entry.
“We are all beneficiaries of the Waterfowl Stamp,” Bishop added. “Whether you are a hunter, a bird watcher or just a citizen that likes seeing wildlife, every one of us gets the benefit of this terrific program.”
The mallard is a dabbling duck, or surface feeder, commonly found throughout Colorado in suitable riparian and wetland habitats year round. Widespread and abundant, the green head, yellow bill and orange feet distinguish the male mallard from the brownish feathers of the female that provide her camouflage in marshes, potholes and reed-covered waterways.
Artists must submit a 13-inch high by-18 inch wide, full color original artwork for the contest. There is a $50 fee for each entry. Complete requirements are explained in the application packet, which is available at cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/WaterfowlStamp.aspx and www.cowildlifefoundation.org/#!programs/c10d6.
Hunters can purchase the required waterfowl stamp where hunting licenses are sold. Past stamp winners can be viewed online at www.cowildlifefoundation.org/#!shop/c1yzj
