Page 6 - 2021 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

2021-22 STATE WATERFOWL STAMP

TO DISPLAY IDAHO

ARTIST’S WIGEON

An Idaho artist’s painting collected the most
votes in this year’s Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp
art competition. Kelly Kadlec’s depiction of
a pair of American wigeon earned first place
and will be featured on Oklahoma’s waterfowl
stamp for the 2021-22 hunting seasons.
This 40-year-old art contest is open to any
artist nationwide regardless of residency, and
the winner is selected using votes received
online from the public and from internal Wild-
life Department judging. Kadlec’s painting
was among 15 entries received in the most
recent content.
Artists who received honorable mention for Winner: Kelly Kadlec, Eagle, Idaho.
their entries are Chris Goins, Sheridan, Ark.; Dennis Arp, The new stamps featuring the American wigeon will
Culberson, Neb.; and Buck Spencer, Junction City, Ore. go on sale around July 1 in the Outdoor Store at license.
The Oklahoma waterfowl stamp program began in 1980 GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com, or in person at the Wildlife
and was designed to ensure quality habitat for the hundreds Department headquarters in Oklahoma City.
of thousands of ducks and geese that migrate through the
state each year. The design competition features portraits
of the state’s diverse waterfowl species by some of the
nation’s best artists.
The program generates funding for waterfowl conserva-
tion projects through the sale of waterfowl licenses, which
are required of waterfowl hunters, and stamp sales, many
of which are purchased by collectors.
The waterfowl stamp program has funded the purchase
of nearly 12,000 wetland acres along with the enhance-
ment, creation, restoration and maintenance of thousands
of additional acres of critical waterfowl habitat. Wetland
development units such as Hackberry Flat Wildlife Man-
agement Area in southwestern Oklahoma and Red Slough
WMA in McCurtain County have benefited from state duck
stamp funds. Honorable Mention: Buck Spencer, Junction City, Ore.

Honorable Mention: Dennis Arp, Culberson, Neb. Honorable Mention: Chris Goins, Sheridan, Ark.

4 Off the Beaten Path

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