2011 California Duck Stamp Design

The Los Angeles Times reports, "The winning design for California’s 2011 duck stamp was selected at a judging event May 19 on the steps of the State Capitol building in Sacramento.Shari Erickson of Beaver Creek, Ore., won for her painting of a pair of Barrow’s Goldeneye, the species for this year's competition and stamp. This was Erickson's first duck stamp contest win."

According to reporter Kelly Burgess, "The image beat out 15 other entries submitted by artists nationwide and will adorn the 2011-12 stamp. In past years, waterfowl hunters were required to affix stamps to their hunting license but this year, with California moving to an automated licensing system, hunters are no longer required to carry the physical stamps in the field -- proof of purchase prints directly onto the license. The stamps will now be mailed, upon request, to license-holders at the end of the hunting season."

The Department of Fish and Game sells about 70,000 duck stamps annually, including sales to collectors.

Shown above, this year's winning design.

To read the entire article, click here.

Click here to view more California duck stamp designs.