St. Paul artist Matt Linz has won the 2026 Minnesota waterfowl stamp contest with an oil painting of buffleheads.
Stephen Hamrick, of Lakeville, earned second place with an acrylic gadwall painting. Third place went to Chris Smith, of Corcoran, with an oil painting of a wood duck.
The winners were selected on Aug. 28 out of 18 eligible submissions. The waterfowl stamp may be purchased in combination with a hunting license, or as a collectible, with the winning stamp going on sale in 2026. Funds raised from stamp sales pay for waterfowl research, management, and habitat.
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Visit the Minnesota DNR website for more information about habitat stamps and contest guidelines.


