Calling All Wildlife Artists in Maryland
31st Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest Now Accepting Entries

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ANNAPOLIS– The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Friends of Patuxent invite Maryland artists to participate in the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest by submitting their entries.

Better known as the Maryland Duck Stamp Contest, the event will be held in conjunction with the 16th Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show. Judging will begin on Saturday, April 2, at noon in the auditorium of the Patuxent National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel, MD. All artwork submitted for this contest must be received no later than 4 p.m. on March 23. The contest is only open to residents of the State of Maryland.

Proceeds of the sale of the stamps help to fund waterfowl and migratory game bird enhancement projects as well as much needed research. The $9 stamp can be purchased by any citizen and is required of all that hunt waterfowl in Maryland.

Contestants and the public are invited to attend the judging process on April 2. Admission is free. For contest rules and more information, visit DNR online at www.dnr.maryland .gov/wildlife/duckstamp call Doug Wigfield at 410-543-6595 or e-mail dwigfield2@dnr.state.md.us.

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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to Maryland citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 435,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, as well as Maryland's wildlife and fishery species for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, the department manages natural, historic and cultural resources that attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov