Did a member here win the federal duck stamp contest?

[ncountry]

Congrats , that is incredible!!!

[BruceT]

Jennifer, beautiful painting!  Congratulations on Ducks Stamp selection!  I may have to buy 2 next year....

 

[nyslowhand]

Worth congratulating Jennifer again! Latest issue of NYON has a front page article with photos of artwork & artist. Your artwork desreves the recognition it has received! Thank you!

 

Those of you that don't realize Jennifer is a forum member, here's her bio.

http://www.featherdust.com/jen.html

[Jennifer]

Worth congratulating Jennifer again! Latest issue of NYON has a front page article with photos of artwork & artist. Your artwork desreves the recognition it has received! Thank you!

 

Those of you that don't realize Jennifer is a forum member, here's her bio.

http://www.featherdust.com/jen.html

 

Oh, how cool! I don't have a subscription right now... Do any newstands carry it? If anyone has a copy they don't want after they get done reading it and would ship it to me I'd be delighted.

[132 eight pointer]

Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment !

[Geno C]

Congrats jennifer! That is awesome, great job

[Jennifer]

Thank you all very much!!

 

 

Oh, how cool! I don't have a subscription right now... Do any newstands carry it? If anyone has a copy they don't want after they get done reading it and would ship it to me I'd be delighted.

 

EDIT: Got a copy, thanks very much to the generous user here that sent me a PM!! Thank you!
 

[gfdeputy2]

amazing talent Congratulations m

will have to buy a duck stamp next year just to have one

[Big Indian]

Good going Jennifer. Congrats to you.

[shooter]

Congrats Jennifer!! They look awesome. We have chatted back in forth over the years regarding hunting etc. I have a camp in Portville near you. Very exciting to have a neighbor win this. If indeed there is a event in town keep me posted would love to attend and meet ya. Best of luck with everything and congrats again!!!

 

[DirtTime]

Congrats. Very nice painting.

[Jennifer]

Congrats Jennifer!! They look awesome. We have chatted back in forth over the years regarding hunting etc. I have a camp in Portville near you. Very exciting to have a neighbor win this. If indeed there is a event in town keep me posted would love to attend and meet ya. Best of luck with everything and congrats again!!!

 

You bet. We will get it run in the Olean newspaper at a minimum. I'll also announce here on the forum somewhere. Not sure where would be the most appropriate spot, I will ask the admin when the time comes.

[Paula]

Wow I missed this, congratulations, Beautiful

[mike rossi]

Federal Lawmakers in both houses just passed legislation that will increase the price of the federal duck stamp $10. This is the first time the stamp has went up in price in 23 or 24 years. If Obama signs the legislation and it gets enacted into law soon enough, this stamp will be the first stamp to reflect the price increase. Thought all would be interested in that...

 

Not to change the subject; although I agree the price increase is long overdue, there was a disagreement among federal lawmakers about a stipulation that the additional revenue generated from the extra ten dollars would be dedicated to conservation easements on private lands. I agree with the lawmakers who think that this lack of flexibility is unmerited. The FWS should not be prevented from using any portion of the federal migratory bird conservation fund or duck stamp fund for BUYING land. The fact that they are "separating" any portion of any sort of conservation fund is always concerning to begin with. Do not get me wrong, private land is indeed extremely important to migratory bird conservation. I just don't see the need for this restriction to be put on the FWS. Hopefully this was reconciled in the final legislation and if it was not Obama will amend it.

Edited December 4, 2014 by mike rossi

[Jennifer]

I share your concerns Mike. I agree with the raise in price, but am concerned about the separation of any of the funds as well. I'd enjoy reading the reasoning on this, given that the Federal Migratory Bird Fund/Duck stamp money is the most effective and appropriate use of funds for conservation not only in the world, but in history as well.

[mike rossi]

I share your concerns Mike. I agree with the raise in price, but am concerned about the separation of any of the funds as well. I'd enjoy reading the reasoning on this, given that the Federal Migratory Bird Fund/Duck stamp money is the most effective and appropriate use of funds for conservation not only in the world, but in history as well.

 

This will make the stamp using your artwork standout for a long time, probably will be referenced many times in the future, that is if the bills are signed and enacted into law before June or whenever the stamps go to print before June.

 

But as far as the reasoning behind the segregation of funds, I believe the original two bills still have a stipulation that explains it, at least to the extent legislative bills explain anything. There were a couple of colloquys among the federal lawmakers about it, including a motion to amend the bill to leave that clause out. A number of conservationists and conservation organizations spoke out here and there. But I don't have all that saved, I would have to look it up.

 

For whatever its worth, I can give you my understanding and opinion: The vast majority of waterfowl and waterfowl habitat exists in private ownership. Therefore, landowner cooperation is essential to conservation. Additionally many agriculture practices can be tweaked to create favorable conditions for waterfowl. I don't want to write a book or go into this thoroughly, but a few examples are timing of planting and harvest - particularly for pintails which are declining continentally , although the Sacramento NWR currently counted 550,000 of them on that complex alone this week... Irrigation regimes. water management in rice fields. participation in CRP, WRP. CREP, and all the Farm Bill programs.

 

For a laundry list of reasons, farmers, ranchers, and other landowners are needed, however financial incentives are necessary to get them to use eco-friendly practices. There already does exist funding programs for these incentives. I believe. but am not positive; that the duck stamp fund is already one of them.  

 

All that bodes for use of the federal migratory bird conservation fund / duck stamp fund in acquiring leases from private lands. I have no qualms with that. However, there may be a reason why federal lawmakers stipulate a portion of the funds can ONLY be used for that, but I don't know what the reason is or if the reason is legitimate. Anything that might benefit wealthy landowners (although poor landowners will benefit as well) and is endorsed by the republicans waves a red flag. All may be sound, and legitimate, but never the less, I would trust the FWS to administer the funds in the most optimal way, without mandates from Congress which set the parameters. And I would prefer this judgment was left to the FWS. not lawmakers. Maybe I am wrong about the duck stamp already funding easements. If this legislation authorizes it for the first time, that is a great thing. but even so, it still should let the FWS make the decisions. Habitat acquisition (therefore spending on it) must be done by prioritizing according to habitat value and/or preserving the most imperiled habitat types, and/or habitats which support imperiled species, not by some arbitrary percentage of spending handed down by lawmakers...

 

If you decide to research your own question, post what you find, I would like to know as well. But I am not delving into this one. 

Edited December 5, 2014 by mike rossi

[Jennifer]

It was signed into law today, it will be $25 starting in 2015.

[First-light]

Nice write up in the Conservationist!!! The painting is wonderful..

[Mr VJP]

It will be interesting to see how a 67% increase in price will affect the total revenue the stamp collects.  In most free market models, if the cost of something is raised that much, the demand goes down accordingly.

 

I worry the price increase may have a negative affect on the total number of stamps sold.  That would also put the burden of the funds on fewer duck hunters and misc stamp buyers.  Maybe it's time to require more than just duck hunters purchase one.

 

[mike rossi]

It was signed into law today, it will be $25 starting in 2015.

 

Heck of a year to win the duck stamp contest. If it takes effect in June 2015, I guess you hit the charts, so to speak. People will probably speculate and  be more likely to buy more than one. Better get out and buy up this years stamp as well, because it to will mark the end of an era. (The fifteen dollar era). Your stamp begins the $25 era...

[Jennifer]

I am very hesitant to do much speculation, yet. I am hoping very much to get the ear of birders and general nature enthusiasts. Realistically, anyone that gives a darn about our ecosystems in the US should consider buying one, but I know that is being a bit unrealistic. Most people don't even know that the duck stamp exists or what it is. I'm trying to spread the word, but I'm just one gal.

 

 

Nice write up in the Conservationist!!! The painting is wonderful..

 

Thank you!!
 

[grampy]

I somehow missed this thread until now. Congratulations! What a wonderful talent you have Jennifer! Are you selling any prints of the duck stamp?

[Jennifer]

I somehow missed this thread until now. Congratulations! What a wonderful talent you have Jennifer! Are you selling any prints of the duck stamp?

 

Thanks so much! Yes, I will release the prints next year at about the same time as the stamp itself, which is at the end of June. I'm working on a companion painting right now that will be the 'background' image on the little sheet the stamp comes on.

[PWGUNNY]

I love Duck Stamps.  True talent on the winner and others submitted.

 

 

I have every hunting license I have ever purchased.  I just figured with the stamps on the licenses that it would be a shame to toss them in the garbage.

[Jennifer]

I love Duck Stamps.  True talent on the winner and others submitted.

 

 

I have every hunting license I have ever purchased.  I just figured with the stamps on the licenses that it would be a shame to toss them in the garbage.

 

I also have all of my old licenses with the stamps signed, they are too nice to throw away. Funny enough, in time, even the signed stamps become collectors items! Not worth as much as an unsigned one (because most of them do end up signed of course) but it's all pretty interesting! I wish NY state still offered art stamps.