The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking talented waterfowl artists to submit their original artwork to the 2018-2019 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. Submissions will be accepted from May 11 through June 11.

The contest is open to U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older as of March 5, 2018. Entrants need not reside in California.

The artwork must depict the species selected by the California Fish and Game Commission, which for the 2018-2019 hunting season is the brant, a species of goose.

The winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2018-2019 California Duck Stamp. The top submissions will also be showcased at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s annual art show in July.

All entries must be accompanied by a completed participation agreement and entry form. These forms and the official rules are available online at www.wildlife.ca.gov/duck-stamp/contest.

The design is to be in full color and in the medium (or combination of mediums) of the artist’s choosing, except that no photographic process, digital art, metallic paints or fluorescent paints may be used in the finished design. The design must be the contestant’s original hand-drawn creation. Entries will be judged at a public event to be held in June. The judges’ panel, which will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, and art and printing, will choose first, second and third-place winners, and an honorable mention.

Since 1971, CDFW’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California.