WATERFOWL ARTISTS WANTED!

MassWildlife is now accepting art for the 2006 Waterfowl Stamp Competition. Artwork selected through this process will be featured on Massachusetts' 2006 waterfowl stamps. These stamps are required of all Massachusetts waterfowl hunters and are sought by wildlife art and stamp collectors all over the country. Artists from across the nation participate, making this a truly exciting competition.

The Massachusetts program differs from programs in other states in requiring that each entry be a painting of a decoy created by a deceased Massachusetts decoy maker. This is, in itself, an exciting quest as there are many beautiful carved and crafted birds in museums and private collections and artists enjoy finding the one which strikes them as special. Rules and Regulations of the Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Competition are posted at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_waterfowl_stamp_contest.htm or call MassWildlife at 508/792-7270, write: Waterfowl Stamps, MassWildlife, One Rabbit Hill Rd., Westboro, MA 01581. All entries must be received by July 31, 2005.

Submissions are screened by a panel of experts to assure that they meet all of the selection criteria: permissible species, Massachusetts origin, etc. that are detailed in the regulations. Judging takes place in early September and all qualifying submissions will be on public exhibit in September at a location yet to be determined.