MDNR Report

Jr. Duck StampJr. Duck Stamp

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting entries to the 2022 Michigan Junior Duck Stamp Contest – a decades-long tradition in Michigan currently administered by the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw.

The contest aims to raise education and awareness of North America’s waterfowl and wetland resources. Ally Wang, age 16 of Canton, won last year’s contest with her take on a northern pintail created with acrylic paint.
Students may submit artwork featuring whistling ducks, swans, geese, brant, dabbling ducks, diving ducks, sea ducks, mergansers, stiff tails or Hawaiian ducks, though everyone is encouraged to review the full list of permitted species.

A panel of three to five judges (virtually or in person) will evaluate entries on the basis of original design, anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for reproduction on a 1-inch by 1.5-inch stamp.

Here’s how judging works:

  • Entries are judged in four grade-level groups: K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
  • Three first-, second- and third-place entries (nine total), along with 16 honorable mentions, will be selected from each group.
  • Judges select a “best of show” from among the 12 first-place winners; those will be submitted to the Federal Duck Stamp Office and entered in the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest held virtually April 16. The national contest winner and the student's parent or guardian and teacher will earn a free trip to a First Day of Sale ceremony in late June/early July.

First-place art from the national contest is used to create a National Junior Duck Stamp, which is available for $5 from the U.S. Postal Service and from many national wildlife refuges. Proceeds support conservation education and provide awards and scholarships for participating students, teachers and schools.

Entries must be postmarked by March 15. A downloadable entry form and contest rules and regulations for teachers and supervising adults are available on the USFWS website.

Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.