The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites artists to submit their original artwork to the 2025-26 California Duck Stamp Art Contest. Submissions will be accepted May 5 through June 13.
Since 1971, CDFW’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. All proceeds from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California.
The artwork must depict the species selected by the California Fish and Game Commission which is the cinnamon teal for the 2025-26 hunting season. These small dabbling ducks are found in the Western U.S. and can be seen in wetlands foraging for aquatic plants and invertebrates. The aptly named cinnamon teal breeding males have rust-colored plumage with bright red eyes a baby blue shoulder and green secondary feathers. Both males and females are identified by their relatively long black bills. Winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2025-26 California Duck Stamp. Top submissions are traditionally showcased at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association Art shows which is scheduled to take place in July.
The contest is open to U.S. residents 18 years or older as of March 21, 2025. Entries need not reside in California. Current and former CDFW employees are ineligible. All entries must be accompanied by a completed participation agreement and entry form. These forms and official rules are available on line at 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. The entry design may not be copied or duplicated from previously published art. Entries will be judged in June. The Judges panel will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation and art and printing, will choose first, second and third place winners, as well as Honorable Mention.