The annual National Junior Duck Stamp Contest attracts participants from students in K-12 from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. 

It is a great opportunity for young artists to hone their skills and possibly begin a path to the ultimate prize – a win in the Federal Migratory Bird Stamp contest.

 Paintings from New York students are forwarded to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters in Seneca Falls, NY. A panel of judges ranks them in age/grade categories and picks a best of show which then represents NY in the national competition. On March 28th, I had the privilege once again to help judge theNew York State entries at the refuge office. After pondering and ranking some amazing artwork, the panel judged a depiction of a Red-breasted Merganser by Sue Cho as our choice for NY. All state winners were judged on April 21 at the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. An acrylic painting of a Hooded Merganser by 15-year-old Linyue Mila Tong from Virginia took top honors. Her painting will grace the 2023-2024 Junior Duck stamp. Revenue from sales of the stamp will help educate youth about wildlife and wetlands conservation. Congratulations to all participants. There is no doubt you will see the artwork of many of these talented youth in years to come!

Dave Odell
Dave OdellProfessor Duck
Dave Odell (a.k.a Professor Duck) holds a Bachelors Degree in Zoology from Houghton College and a Masters Degree in Zoology (emphasis: wildlife management) from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York.