Minnesota artist wins Duck Stamp contest for the fourth time

James Hautman of Chaska, Minn., earned top honors again in the annual Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest with his painting of two Greater White-fronted Geese. The judging and announcement took place Saturday at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, Calif.

Hautman's work bested more than 230 entries and will appear as the 2011-12 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp. He previously won the contest in 1989, 1994 and 1998.

Greater White-fronted Geese by James Hautman

The Duck Stamp sells for $15 and raises close to $25 million each year to provide funds that purchase wetlands and grasslands providing habitat for waterfowl and many species enjoyed by birders and other outdoor enthusiasts. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.

Greater White-fronted Goose by Robert Hautman

Hautman's brother Robert of Delano, Minn., earned second place in the contest with his painting of a Greater White-fronted Goose. Robert Hautman won first place in two previous Duck Stamp art contests.

An acrylic painting of two Brant earned third-place honors for Kip Richmond of Apex, N.C. Eligible species for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were Brant, Canada Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Northern Shoveler and Ruddy Duck.

Brant by Kip Richmond

The judges included former California Secretary of Natural Resources Mike Chrisman; waterfowl biologist and professor John Eadie; wildlife artist Joe Garcia; retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Jerry Serie; and wildlife biologist and duck stamp expert Carlo Vecchiarelli. The alternate judge was Gary Kramer, an outdoor writer and photographer -- and WildBird contributor.