Conservation partners celebrate the recent release of the 2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp by local artist Joe Hautman at home state ceremony and shooting sports event
Partners from the wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation community will host the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp Home State Ceremony and Clays Shoot in honor of four-time Federal Duck Stamp artist and Minnesota native Joe Hautman at the South Saint Paul Rod and Gun Club on Saturday, July 14, 2012.
Hautman's acrylic rendition of a drake wood duck was recently selected as the 2012 Federal Duck Stamp, making this his fourth Federal Duck Stamp win since 1991. Hautman is considered by many as one of the country’s most talented wildlife artists.
"I came to learn about the importance of conservation as a child after asking my dad about his beautiful collection of Federal Duck Stamps. He explained what they were and what they meant for wildlife," said Hautman. "It was a thrill for me to be able to design one of these stamps thirty years later, and I’m proud to continue to be associated with such a vital and widely supported conservation program."
The Federal Duck Stamp is annually produced from the winning artwork of a nationally recognized competition among artists from across the country. The stamp is sold for $15, and 98 cents of every dollar is invested in the acquisition of lands to be permanently protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have helped to purchase nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat.
"Wildlife artists like Joe Hautman inspire others to build an appreciation for wildlife through art," said Assistant Director Jerome Ford of the Service’s Migratory Bird Program, which administers the Federal Duck Stamp Program. "Buying a Federal Duck Stamp is a simple way that anyone can contribute to conservation and own a small work of wildlife art."
Shooting games and a silent auction will begin at 9:00 a.m. To register for shooting sports, sign up at the South Saint Paul Rod and Gun Club Web site. Pre-registered shooters will get preferred start times. A home state ceremony featuring remarks from artist Joe Hautman and local and federal officials will be held at 1:30 p.m. and the guest of honor will be available for stamp and poster signing following the ceremony. Admission and parking for the ceremony is free and open to the public.
Proceeds from shooting sports and the silent auction will be dedicated to wetland and grassland restoration on a waterfowl production area adjacent to Pelican Lake in Wright County, Minnesota. Waterfowl production areas provide public recreation opportunities including hunting, fishing, bird watching, photography, and environmental education. Restored wetlands and grasslands provide habitat for an array of wildlife including mallards, bobolinks, western grebes, ring-necked pheasants, and white-tailed deer.
The event will be held at 600 Gun Club Road, South St. Paul, MN 55075. Driving directions: Follow I-494 to the Concord St. exit. Head south on Concord St. for approximately 0.8 miles. Turn left (east) on Chestnut St./Gun Club Rd., and follow for one block. Cross a double set of railroad tracks and a bike path just before entering the club grounds.
To date, Duck Stamp funds have been used to acquire habitat at hundreds of refuges in nearly every state. There are 555 national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. A current Duck Stamp may also be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge open to the public. Refuges offer unparalleled recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography.
