If you hunt waterfowl in Montana, you are required to buy a stamp that goes to funding wetland habitat preservation.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) started its Migratory Bird Stamp art contest last year to honor that effort in art of its own.
Montana's wetlands are home to dozens of species of waterfowl and once again, FWP is honoring these lands in an artistic way.
“Kind of renewing our focus on wetland and waterfowl habitat. And the way that we're doing that is now for the second year we are commissioning a waterfowl stamp that sort of celebrates and raises awareness for wetland habitat,” FWP spokesman Morgan Jacobsen said.
Along with being featured on next year’s commemorative stamp, the winning artist will receive a cash reward. Do you think you have what it takes?
“What artists can do is they can go to our website to see the rules for entering artwork into this contest -- the Wetland Protection Advisory Council here in Montana -- will select the winning entry,” Jacobsen explained. “And then that entry will be featured on next year's waterfowl commemorative sticker for raising awareness of waterfowl and wetland habitat.”
The subjects run the gambit from coots to cranes, to ducks and geese to snipes and swans. The commemorative stamps are fun to collect, but they also have a higher purpose.
“But more importantly they've helped raise awareness for the importance of wetland habitat and conservation for places that we can find a lot of those amazing species,” Jacobsen said.
The deadline to enter is Jan. 31, 2024.
