Richard Clifton of Milford, Del., emerged as the winner of the 2020 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest recently, with his painting of a single lesser scaup drake at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters in Falls Church, Va.

Clifton’s acrylic painting will be made into the 2021-2022 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp,” which will go on sale next June for local waterfowlers required to purchase them in order to hunt migratory birds. The Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $25 and raises approximately $40 million in sales each year. These funds support critical conservation to protect wetland habitats in the National Wildlife Refuge System for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people.

Since it was first established in 1934, sales of the Duck Stamp to hunters, bird watchers, outdoor enthusiasts and collectors have raised more than $1 billion to conserve over six million acres of habitat for birds and other wildlife and provide countless opportunities for hunting and other wildlife-oriented recreation on public lands.

Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Federal Duck Stamp. A current Federal Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee.

This is Clifton’s second Federal Duck Stamp Contest win. His art previously appeared on the 2007- 2008 Federal Duck Stamp. James Hautman of Chaska, Minn., placed second with his acrylic painting of a flock of lesser scaup, and Joseph Hautman of Plymouth, Minn., took third place with his acrylic painting of a flock of lesser scaup.