Artists encouraged to enter Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp competition

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is accepting submissions for the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp competition taking place between Saturday, Feb. 1 through Thursday, Feb.13. The winner of this year’s competition will have his or her work featured on the 2026 Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp.

Established in 1982, Ohio’s duck stamp program is one of the nation’s longest running and most successful. Sales of the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp have produced more than $11 million for wetland habitat protection and conservation.

The proceeds fund vital wetland projects in Ohio, which are important to many resident and migratory waterfowl species, other wetland birds, and amphibians. Additional proceeds are matched and leveraged to support habitat work in Canada that benefits nesting birds which migrate through Ohio.

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Ohio is proud to be one of the few states that still features hand-painted artwork on the state wetlands stamp. Artists can choose to depict any of Ohio’s native waterfowl species other than bufflehead, American wigeon, or lesser scaup, which were featured on the previous three stamps. All artists ages 18 and older who reside in the U.S. are encouraged to enter the competition.

Artwork will be judged on Saturday, Feb. 15, by a panel of judges with a conservation background. The winner receives a $4,000 service contract.

Design entries may not exceed 18 inches wide by 13 inches high, should be displayed on a single white mat of 2.5 inches width, and be protected by a removable acetate or cellophane cover.

All two-dimensional art mediums, other than digital art and photographs, are accepted. For contest rules, including a list of qualifying species, read the Ohio Wildlife Wetlands Stamp Design Contest Rules and Artist Packet.

Hunters aged 18 and older are required to purchase an Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp to hunt waterfowl or migratory birds in Ohio, and many wildlife enthusiasts voluntarily purchase a stamp. Those looking to support wetland restoration can purchase the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp for $15 at wildohio.gov.

An Ohio Wetlands Stamp is one of the prerequisites for hunting waterfowl in the state of Ohio. Hunters must also possess a signed federal duck stamp, available for purchase online or at U.S. Postal Service outlets. A completed Havest Information Program (HIP) survey is also required for Buckeye State waterfowl hunters.

For more information on everything duck stamp in Ohio, visit www.wildohio.gov.