This is the first year the contest is open to youth artists — in previous years it was geared to artists 18 or older. The youth contest is open to any artist under the age of 18 as of 2012.

The winning artwork from the adult contest will be reproduced on the 2012 California Duck Stamp and the youth winner will receive an award.

The top contest submissions will also be showcased at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s art show in July.

The picture must depict the species selected by the DFG, which is the Aleutian Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis leucopareia).

The design is to be in full color and in the medium (or combination of mediums) of the artist’s choosing, except that no photographic process, digital art, metallic paints or fluorescent paints may be used in the finished design.

Photographs, computer-generated art, art produced from a computer printer or other computer/mechanical output device (air brush method excepted) are not eligible to be entered into the contest and will be disqualified.

The design must be the contestant’s original “hand drawn” creation.

The entry design may not be copied or duplicated from previously published art, including photographs, or from images in any format published on the Internet.

All entries must be accompanied by a completed participation agreement and entry form. These forms and the official rules are available online

at dfg.ca.gov/duckstamp.

Entries will be judged at a public event to be held in Sacramento in June.

The judges’ panel, which will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, and art and printing will choose first-, second- and third-place winners along with an honorable mention in both contests.

Since 1971, the California Duck Stamp Program’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California.

In past years, hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting license.

Now California has moved to an automated licensing system and hunters are no longer required to carry the physical stamps in the field (proof of purchase prints directly onto the license).

However, DFG will still produce the stamps, which can be requested by interested individuals on DFG’s website at dfg.ca.gov/licensing/collectorstamps/.