FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2022
Contact:?Lorenzo Contreras, DNR Wildlife Management Program Specialist
[email protected] or 608-712-0026

REMINDER: DNR Now Accepting Artwork Entries
For 2022 Wild Turkey, Pheasant And Waterfowl
Stamp Design Contests

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The July deadline is coming up to submit artwork entries for the 2023 Wild Turkey, Pheasant and Waterfowl Stamp design contests. Shown here is the 2022 waterfowl stamp winning artwork for the Pheasant Stamp Design Contest by Mark Kanitz, of Markesan. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis.?? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public that we are now accepting artwork entries encourages artists to submit their work for the 2023 Wisconsin wild turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamp design contests. The winning designs will appear on the 2023 collection of stamps.

Each year, local artists from around Wisconsin compete for an opportunity to have their artwork commemorated in a historic way on the Wild Turkey, Pheasant and Waterfowl stamps.

?This is the 26^th year of the turkey stamp contest. It?s a historic opportunity for artists to commemorate their talent and provide opportunities for wildlife and wildlife habitat management,? said Alaina Gerrits, DNR Wildlife Biologist. ?Artists are encouraged to use the contest to showcase their creative expression while capturing the charisma of native Wisconsin birds.?

Sales of these three stamps bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for species management throughout the state, including habitat management, restoration, education and research projects. Hunters are required to purchase stamps to harvest these game birds.

The contest is open to anyone 18 years of age or older living in Wisconsin who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Artwork must meet technical requirements to be eligible, and applicants should carefully review the contest rules to ensure their entries' eligibility.

The deadline to submit stamp designs is July 15, 2022. Judging will take place in late July or early August 2022.

The winners of the 2022 contests are Robert Metropulos, of Arbor Vitae, for wild turkey; Mark Kanitz of Markesan, for pheasant; and Brian Kuether, of Greenfield, for waterfowl. Rules, entry information and reproduction rights agreements are available on the DNR website. All stamp contest applicants should review contest rules carefully to ensure the eligibility of their entries. Artwork must meet technical requirements to be properly processed and prepared for judging. The DNR may also display the submissions at the Wisconsin State Fair. Subscribe to Wisconsin DNR email updates to receive text or email updates about the contest. Find the Wildlife Management topic and click the checkbox next to the Waterfowl, Wild Turkey and Pheasant Stamp Design Contests topic. Pictured above, Wisconsin artist Mark Kanitz painting his entry for the 2022 Pheasant Stamp Design Contest. Photo courtesy of Mark Kanitz.