Louisiana Duck Stamp Program
The Louisiana Legislature authorized the Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp program in 1988. The program was created to generate revenue for conservation and enhancement of waterfowl populations and habitats in Louisiana. During the last 36 years, more than $17 million has been generated for wetland conservation with approximately $6 million spent on land acquisition. In addition, revenue has supported wetland development projects on Wildlife Management Areas and the Louisiana Waterfowl Project, a cooperative endeavor between LDWF, Ducks Unlimited, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide habitat for waterfowl and other wetland birds on private lands.
Order your $15.00 collector stamp using the form below.
2026 Louisiana Duck Stamp Winner
Tim Taylor of Watertown, South Dakota, has won the 2026 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Competition sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) with his beautiful rendition of the Ross’s goose. Taylor also won the 2018 contest, placed second last year and third in 2021. The Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp bearing that design will go on sale June 1, 2026.
Stamps can be purchased from the LDWF licensing website, where hunting licenses are purchased, or by sending a duck stamp request form.
Louisiana Duck Stamp Contest
In its 39th year, the Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp will feature the wood duck. This is the fourth time the wood duck has been the focus of Louisiana’s duck stamp art selection.
About the Wood Duck
The wood duck is classified in the waterfowl subfamily Anatinae. It is in the genus Aix, which it shares with only one other species globally, the mandarin duck of eastern Asia. Wood ducks are common in the eastern United States and Canada, especially so in geographies that contain extensive flooded bottomland forest, common along major river courses and deltas. Wood ducks occur in every parish in Louisiana, but they are most abundant in the Mississippi River alluvial valley, and inland swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin. This woodland habitat preference is due to their obligatory cavity nesting strategy. Not only does this necessitate intermittently flooded forest, but a subset of trees within the forest must accommodate a cavity (either natural or excavated by another species) large enough for a hen wood duck to occupy and create a nest. In the early 20th century, following a period of unregulated harvest and further complicated by large-scale clearing of mature hardwood forests, wood duck populations were decimated and hunting seasons were closed. In order to provide nesting cavities where naturally occurring cavities were absent, artificial nest boxes were constructed and installed in many locales by biologists, sportsmen, and bird enthusiasts in an effort to recover the species. They were relatively successful in doing so; however, habitat restoration and enhancement programs (many funded by state duck stamp dollars) aimed at replanting formerly cleared acres of bottomland hardwoods have played a significant role in the recovery of the wood duck, as well as other wildlife species with similar habitat requirements.
Most locally breeding wood ducks are year-round residents, and contribute substantially to annual harvest, but our state also provides wintering habitat for migratory wood ducks from the north. From 2014-2023, Louisiana’s average annual harvest of wood ducks was 66,000, firmly making it the fourth highest harvested species in the state behind gadwall, blue-winged teal, and green-winged teal.
Without hyperbole, wood duck drakes are considered by many to be the most visually extravagant waterfowl in North America. Iridescent purple, blue and green feathers exist among chestnut, tan, black, and white patterns, further accented by reddish-orange eyes and bill markings. The barred flank feathers of drakes have a long history of use by fly fishermen for crafting various specialized nymphs and streamers. Hen coloration, as for most ducks, is far less colorful overall as cryptic plumage aids in concealment during the breeding season. However, small patches of blue, purple, and gold are visible in posterior portions of the wing while perched or swimming.
2027 Entry Information
To enter, an artist must submit an original, unpublished work of art, along with a signed and notarized artist's agreement and a $50 entry fee. Entries should be addressed to:
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Attn: Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Program
2000 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Entries will be accepted from Oct. 19-Oct. 26, 2026, with the contest to be held in the Joe L. Herring (Louisiana) Room at the LDWF Headquarters building, beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 28, 2026. The public is invited to attend.
Entrants are encouraged to view the 2027 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp competition artist agreement and the full list of duck stamp contest rules.
Please note the guidelines regarding the rules for the shipping of paintings implemented in 2020. LDWF wants to minimize the risk of damage during the shipping of contest entries.
Judging
Judging for the art competition will be based on the following criteria:
- Accuracy of form, size, proportion, color and posture.
- Level and accuracy of detail in all aspects of the waterfowl.
- Appropriateness, accuracy and detail in depiction of the habitat.
- Attractiveness and creativity in composition, subject, background and lighting.
- Suitability for reproduction as stamps and prints.
A panel of judges with experience in waterfowl biology and/or artistic method will select the winning design. The competition is open to all artists 18 years of age and older. Employees of LDWF and members of their immediate families are ineligible.