Joseph Hautman - First Place Robert Hautman - Second Place James Hautman - Third Place |
They'd probably be favorites of Las Vegas bookmakers – if they accepted wagering on duck stamp art contests in Nevada, that is.
After this year, they might.
The Hautmans – Joseph, Robert and James (in that order) – made Duck Stamp history Sept. 18 & 19 when they swept the top three places of the annual event that decides the coming year's artwork for the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp.
Joseph Hautman of Plymouth, Minn., took top honors with his outstanding acrylic painting of a pair of trumpeter swans. It marked Joseph's fifth Federal Duck Stamp contest win, making him one of only two artists to have his art appear on five duck stamps.
As a result, Joseph's painting will be used on the 2016-2017 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2016.
Robert Hautman of Delano, Minn., placed second with his acrylic of a pair of mallards. Robert Hautman has won the Federal Duck Stamp contest twice.
James Hautman of Chaska, Minn., a four-time winner, placed third with his acrylic painting of a pair of mallards.
For movie trivia buffs, the Hautmans were referenced in the 1996 cult classic, "Fargo," and have been friends since childhood of filmmakers Ethan and Joel Coen.
Of 157 entries in this year's competition, 10 made it to the final round of judging, held at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W. Va. Eligible species for this year's contest were the blue-winged teal, cinnamon teal, gadwall, mallard and trumpeter swan.
Through congressional action, the price of the Federal Duck Stamp was increased to $25 this year, the first increase since 1991. Annually, the sale of duck stamps raises about $25 million to provide critical funds to conserve and protect wetland habitats in the National Wildlife Refuge System for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people.
The stamps are required for waterfowl hunters over the age of 16, but anyone who loves birds, birding and nature who can't find $25 once a year to support and protect wetlands and the National Wildlife Refuge System needs to reassess their priorities – and yes, that IS a shameless Birding Wire opinion.
Last year marked the 80th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in March 1934. Since its enactment, the landmark initiative has generated more than $700 million to conserve nearly 6 million acres of wetlands across the United States through the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund and is considered a model of conservation efficiency.
Approximately 98 cents of every duck stamp dollar is spent to acquire or lease lands for the National Wildlife Refuge System and a current duck stamp may be used for free admission to any refuge that charges an entry fee.
- J.R. Absher