Federal Duck Stamp Contest to be held at Maumee Bay State Park



 

 Artwork of Bob Hines

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is proud to announce the 2013 Federal Duck Stamp Contest to select the 2014-2015 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, also known as the Duck Stamp.

The most prestigious federally-recognized art contest in the nation, the Federal Duck Stamp Contest will be held Sept. 27-28, 2013 at the Maumee Bay State Park Conference Center in Oregon, Ohio.
The Federal Duck Stamp Program is the most successful conservation program in our nation’s history, and has generated more than $850 million to help protect and conserve more than 6.5 million acres of wetlands and grasslands for wildlife habitat. By purchasing a Federal Duck Stamp, hunters, birders and wildlife enthusiasts continue to contribute to the conservation of America’s natural resources.

The Federal Duck Stamp Contest will this year honor 1946 Duck Stamp artist and conservation leader Bob Hines. Biographer John D. Juriga, M.D. is author of the book Bob Hines: National Wildlife Artist. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will honor Hines by hosting a public dedication ceremony for the Bob Hines Refuge Ranger Station at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday, September 26, 2013. Learn more in an interview with Juriga about his interest in wildlife artist and conservationist Bob Hines.

 

Duck Stamp by 1946 Artist and Conservationist Bob Hines

The contest will culminate in selection of the nation's 81st Duck Stamp and will be a celebration of one of the world's most successful wildlife habitat conservation programs. Viewing of the artwork and judging process is free and open to the public.




 

Bob Hines
1912 -1994

 

Ohio native Robert Hines (1912-1994) holds the distinction of being the only National Wildlife Artist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hines developed his love of nature growing up along the verdant banks of the Sandusky River in Fremont, Ohio. Despite almost no formal art training, Hines’ innate talent led him to become an internationally recognized wildlife artist and a pioneer of the conservation movement. His work illustrated a weekly newspaper feature, and numerous wildlife guides and books – including those by author Rachel Carson (a close personal friend) and Robert McClung (of Grizzly Adams fame).

 
In 2012, the Hayes Presidential Center hosted the exhibit The Wildlife Art of Bob Hines in celebration of the 100th year of Hines’ birth. The exhibit featured more than 100 pieces of original Hines artwork, published works, and manuscripts from the private collection of John Juriga, M.D. Juriga published his biography of Hines as part of the centennial commemoration.