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Oklahoma Duck Stamp Design Competition Rules

 

The canvasback will be featured on the 2026-27 stamp

 

Rules and Regulations for the Oklahoma Duck Stamp Design Competition

Contestants must enter the design contest through the Wildlife Department's online Go Outdoors Oklahoma customer system. Simply click here and log in or create a profile to enter the contest. You'll be given an option to upload a photo of your entry (optional), and your properly labeled original artwork must be at Wildlife Department headquarters by the contest deadline. 

  1. Entry may be done in any media that allows for creation of a two-dimensional artwork: acrylic, oil, watercolor, scratchboard, pencil, pen and ink, tempera, etc. Photographs are not eligible. Artwork must be on a smooth surface art medium (i.e. gesso Masonite, Crescent illustration board, clayboard, etc.), rather than a textured surface such as canvas.
  2. One design per contestant. The design must be two-dimensional and horizontal: 6 1/2 inches high and 9 inches wide.
  3. Contestants must register online between May 1 and the final Friday in August, and all entry fees paid by credit card at GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com. No cash, checks, or money orders.
  4. Any resident of the United States is eligible. Any member of the contest judging panel or any member of his or her immediate family or any employee of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is ineligible.
  5. The winning artist will be ineligible to compete the following two years. If a previous winner should win again, his/her ineligibility is extended to four years after each win.
  6. The Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design must be horizontal. It must be matted with a single layer of white or ivory matboard 9 inches high by 12 inches wide with the opening cut to 6 1/2 inches by 9 inches (plus or minus 1/16 of an inch). The mat board must not have a black or colored inner or outer accent border. Always double-check inside mat cut.
  7. Artwork must not be framed or under glass. An acetate covering should be used to protect the artwork. This cover must be easily removed for judging or it will be left in place.
  8. No scrollwork or lettering can appear on the design itself. Any design signed or lettered by the artist will be disqualified. However, the name and address of the artist must appear on the back side of the design.
  9. The waterfowl species to be depicted will be determined annually by the Wildlife Department, and that species must be the dominant feature in the design. Any habitat appearing in the design must be typical for that species in Oklahoma.
  10. The design must be of the artist’s own creation; copies or duplications from any previously published art to include paintings, drawings in any medium or any published photographs, are not permitted.
  11. Utmost precautions will be taken to protect entries from damage, but the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation cannot be responsible for loss.
  12. Any entry that fails to comply with any of the requirements of this competition may be disqualified.
  13. The winning entry will become the sole and exclusive property of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Department does not produce prints of the winning artwork.
  14. Any refusal of the winning artist to sign the release, to challenge the rules or regulations concerning release of rights, or otherwise take any action that would delay the reproduction of the art as a state waterfowl stamp and/or any related use, shall be grounds for that art being disqualified for payment of purchase award and use of the design for the state waterfowl stamp or other related usage. In the event a disqualification should occur, the art receiving the next highest number of points in the voting shall be then declared the winner and shall be used to reproduce the state waterfowl stamp and/or promotional items.
  15. The winner and three honorable mentions selected will appear in an issue of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine. These artworks will be held by the Department until magazine reproduction is completed. All entries (except winner) will be returned, insured and postage paid by ODWC, to the artists, usually within 60 days of contest end.
  16. Entries and entry forms for the Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design Competition will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on the final Friday in August. The original artwork entry must be in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s headquarters, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, by the specified times listed here. No exceptions.

REGISTER TO ENTER ONLINE

PLEASE DELIVER YOUR ARTWORK BY HAND OR MAIL/SHIP TO:

Duck Stamp Design Contest
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
1801 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

(405) 521-4632, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.