Florida man wins California Duck Stamp Art Contest for third time

(FOX40.COM) — A Florida artist has won the California Duck Stamp Art Contest for the third time, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife annoucned.

John N. Harris of Groveland, Florida, painted a cinnamon teal, which will be the official design of the state’s 2025-2026 duck hunting stamps.

Harris previously won the contest in 2014 and 2017.

“Over the last few years, we’ve had a few cinnamon teal overwinter at our local Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, so I was able to observe a couple individuals and take some beautiful photographs of them,” Harris said. “The color was amazing when the sun hit it right and it just glowed. How can an artist have any better inspiration than that? He was an absolute jewel to watch, feeding and jousting with all the local blue wings.”

CDFW said the judges “were immediately struck by the realism of the painting” and praised the small details.

Harris is a regular entrant into other states’ duck stamp contests as well. In November, he took the top prize in Louisiana’s duck stamp contest for the third time.

Frank Dolphens of Omaha, Neb., placed second in the art competition. Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Green, Ind., placed third and Brian Murillo of Norwalk, Iowa, received honorable mention.

Hunters were previously required to purchase and affix the stamp to their hunting license, but California’s modern licensing system prints proof of additional fees paid directly onto the license.

CDFW still produces the stamps, which can be requested on the department’s website. Money from stamp sales goes toward conservation projects.