Joe Hautman wins for third time, continuing family tradition
Sanibel, Fla., October 16, 2007 – The 75th Annual Federal Duck Stamp Competition made a splash last weekend in Sanibel Island, Florida. Some of the nation’s most dedicated conservationists turned out in force to support the duck stamp program. 
U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne, devoted three days to the event. Ducks Unlimited’s First Vice President, John Pope and Past-President, John Tomke joined the festivities. Rounding out the conservation crew was Jim Sprankle, master carver and former pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds, who served as one of five judges for the competition.
“The federal duck stamp is a critical conservation tool,” said Tomke. “I am always proud and impressed that it was the hunting public who promoted this revenue stamp as long as the proceeds were used on land acquisition for wildlife. Essentially hunters were asking to be taxed as long the money went to conservation.”
To commemorate the duck stamp’s 75th anniversary, the event was held on Sanibel Island, where the father of the duck stamp, Ding Darling helped establish a refuge that today bears his name.
For the first time in recent history, the contest drew a three-way-tie for first place.
In the end, Sect. Kempthorne announced the winner to an eruption of cheers. Joe Hautman of Plymouth, Minnesota won – for the third time – with his depiction of a pintail pair nestled in a grassy marsh. His brother, Jim, has also won the contest three times, and Bob Hautman has won it twice.
“It’s become something of a family tradition,” said Joe, whose brothers also entered the contest. “This is the longest stretch we’ve gone without winning, I think, so among the three of us, we just wanted one of us to do well and keep that string going a little bit longer.”
Second place went to Harold Roe, of Sylvania, Ohio, and third place went to Scot Storm of Freeport, Minn. All three of the top contenders support DU’s conservation work through art.
“We wanted to show our support for the program and the artists, many of whom contribute to DU’s conservation work by donating their time and talents to raise money for our conservation mission,” said Pope.
For example, one of Joe Hautman’s paintings, Prairie Pintails, is featured in DU’s 2008 National Art package, which will be available at DU events in January. Proceeds from print sales directly support Ducks Unlimited’s conservation efforts.
“It’s a great experience to be a part of conservation through art,” said Hautman. “You get to see the whole process in action where the artwork is turned to dollars for wildlife habitat. Ducks Unlimited is a large part of that, by selling my prints they’re able to conserve habitat. It’s a great experience for the artist.”
Hautman’s winning painting will be featured on the 2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2008. Federal Duck Stamp sales raise about $25 million each year to fund wetland habitat acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
To date, Duck Stamp funds have helped acquire habitat at hundreds of refuges, in nearly every state in our nation. There are 548 national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. A current Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge open to the public. Refuges offer unparalleled recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography.
Contact: Laura Houseal
(901) 758-3764
lhouseal@ducks.org
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with almost 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands - nature’s most productive ecosystem - and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.