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Oklahoma Duck Stamp Design Competition Rules

The lesser scaup will be featured on the 2025-26 stamp

Rules and Regulations for the Oklahoma Duck Stamp Design Competition

New this year, contestants must enter the design contest through the Wildlife Department's online Go Outdoors Oklahoma customer system. Simply click here and login or create your profile to enter the contest. You'll be given the option to upload a photo of your entry (optional), and you will need to mail in your properly labeled original artwork by the contest deadline. 

  1. Artwork may be in any of the following media: acrylic, oil, watercolor, scratchboard, pencil, pen and ink, tempera, etc. Photographs are not eligible. Painting must be on a smooth surface art medium  (i.e. gesso Masonite, Crescent illustration board, clayboard, etc.), rather than a textured surface such as canvas.
  2. One design per contestant. The design must be two-dimensional and horizontal: 6 1/2 inches high and 9 inches wide.
  3. All payments will be online through GoOutdoorsOklahoma.com. No cash, checks, or money orders.
  4. Any resident of the United States is eligible. Any member of the contest judging panel or any member of his or her immediate family or any employee of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is ineligible.
  5. The winning artist will be ineligible to compete the following two years. If a previous winner should win again, his/her ineligibility is extended to four years after each win.
  6. The Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design must be horizontal. It must be matted with a single layer of white or ivory matboard 9 inches high by 12 inches wide with the opening cut to 6 1/2 inches by 9 inches (plus or minus 1/16 of an inch). The mat board must not have a black or colored inner or outer accent border. Always double-check inside mat cut. 
  7. Artwork must not be framed or under glass. An acetate covering should be used to protect the artwork. This cover must be easily removed for judging or it will be left in place. 
  8. No scrollwork or lettering can appear on the design itself. Any design signed or lettered by the artist will be disqualified. However, the name and address of the artist must appear on the back side of the design.
  9. The waterfowl species to be depicted will be determined annually by the Wildlife Department, and that species must be the dominant feature in the design. Any habitat appearing in the design must be typical for that species in Oklahoma.
  10. The design must be of the artist’s own creation; copies or duplications from any previously published art to include paintings, drawings in any medium or any published photographs, are not permitted.
  11. Utmost precautions will be taken to protect entries from damage, but the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation cannot be responsible for loss.
  12. Any entry that fails to comply with any of the requirements of this competition may be disqualified.
  13. The winning entry will become the sole and exclusive property of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Department does not produce prints of the winning artwork.
  14. Any refusal of the winning artist to sign the release, to challenge the rules or regulations concerning release of rights, or otherwise take any action that would delay the reproduction of the art as a state waterfowl stamp and/or any related use, shall be grounds for that art being disqualified for payment of purchase award and use of the design for the state waterfowl stamp or other related usage. In the event a disqualification should occur, the art receiving the next highest number of points in the voting shall be then declared the winner and shall be used to reproduce the state waterfowl stamp and/or promotional items.
  15. The winner and three honorable mentions selected will appear in an issue of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine. These artworks will be held by the Department until magazine reproduction is completed. Other entries will be returned, postage paid by ODWC, to the artists, usually within 60 days. 
  16. Entries and entry forms for the Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design Competition will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31. This means the original artwork entry must be in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s main office, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31. No exceptions.

SUBMIT YOUR 2025-26 STAMP DESIGN ENTRY ONLINE

PLEASE DELIVER OR MAIL YOUR ARTWORK TO:

Duck Stamp Design Contest
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
P.O. Box 53465
Oklahoma City OK 73152

Shipping:

1801 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

405-521-4632  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.