The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will accept submissions for the 2016-17 California Duck Stamp Art Contest from May 13-June 13.

The contest is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older as of March 14, 2016. Entrants need not reside in California.

The winning artwork will be reproduced on the 2016-2017 California Duck Stamp. The top submissions will also be showcased at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s art show in July.

The artwork must depict the lesser snow goose.

The design must be the contestant’s original hand-drawn creation. All entries must be accompanied by a completed participation agreement and entry form. These forms and the official rules are available online.

Entries will be judged at a public event to be held in June. The judges’ panel, which will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, and art and printing, will choose first, second and third-place winners, and an honorable mention.

Since 1971, CDFW’s annual contest has attracted top wildlife artists from around the country. All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California. In past years, hunters were required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting license. Now California has moved to an automated licensing system and hunters are no longer required to carry the physical stamps in the field (proof of purchase prints directly onto the license). However, CDFW will still produce the stamps, which can be requested online atwww.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/collector-stamps.