USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Not many artists in history can claim to have rendered a $40 million painting. But Freeport, Minnesota’s Scot Storm’s will most assuredly one day be able to count himself as one. That’s because his acrylic painting of a wood duck and decoy has just won the 2018 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest.
Storm’s painting will be made into the 2019-2020 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp”, which will go on sale in late June 2019. The Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $25 and raises up to $40 million in sales each year. These funds support critical conservation to protect wetland habitats in the National Wildlife Refuge System for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people.
“Waterfowl hunters are some of our nation’s most passionate wildlife conservationists,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “More than 80 years after it was established, sales of the Duck Stamp to hunters, bird watchers, outdoor enthusiasts and collectors have raised more than $1 billion to conserve nearly six million acres of habitat for birds and other wildlife and provide countless opportunities for hunting and recreation on our public lands.”
To recognize the contributions of waterfowl hunters, who have been instrumental in conserving our nation’s wildlife, all entries in this year’s contest were required to include depictions of one or more hunting-themed elements. Storm’s artwork featured a wood duck decoy.
“I look forward to seeing this beautiful artwork adorning the 86th Federal Duck Stamp,” said Andrea Travnicek, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, who unveiled the winning painting at this year’s contest. “The stamp created using Scot’s art will serve as a lasting reminder of our
