Minnetonka Artist Wins DNR's Duck Stamp Contest

The following is a release from the Minnesota DNR:

A northern pintail, painted by David Chapman of Minnetonka, will be featured on the 2013 Minnesota Migratory Waterfowl Stamp.

Chapman’s winning design for the state duck stamp was chosen from among 18 entries in the stamp contest sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). He won the 2005 Minnesota Duck Stamp contest with his painting of a white-winged scoter. 

Other finalists were Steven Trofka of Maple Grove, second place; Don Walvatne of Minneapolis, third place; and Mark Thone of Shakopee, fourth place.

Judges for the contest were Mitch Boyum, a DNR conservation officer; Brad Nylin, Minnesota Waterfowl Association; Paul Richert, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Nick Ronning, outdoor writer; and Greg Berg, Custom Art Concepts. The $7.50 Duck Stamp is required of all Minnesota waterfowl hunters ages 18 through 64. Stamp sales generate about $700,000 per year for waterfowl habitat enhancement projects on state wildlife management areas and shallow lakes.

The DNR offers no prizes for the stamp contest winner, but the winning artist retains the right to reproduce the work. Each year the entries are limited to a predetermined species that breeds in or migrates through Minnesota. The eligible species for the 2014 stamp design will be the Canada goose.