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A judge’s first-hand account from the 2025 federal waterfowl stamp contest

James Hautman won his record seventh federal duck stamp contest last week with this painting of three buffleheads. Former Minnesota DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr was one of the judges this year, and he shares his story of the contest process and the entire experience with Outdoor News readers. (© James Hautman. Photo used with permission)

I’m pretty good at spotting spam email, so in April when I got a note from “Kayt” at the “Federal Duck Stamp Office,” I had my suspicions. The email said cryptically, “Was hoping to talk to you if you have a moment.”
I searched for the sender’s name on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website and actually found it. Satisfied my cyber-self was safe, I returned the call.
“Would you be interested in being a judge for the 2025 Federal Duck Stamp Contest?” Kayt asked.

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