The Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp design contest hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will feature the ringneck in 2010-11, and entries will be accepted from through Aug. 31.

Every year artists from across the country enter their renditions of a pre-selected waterfowl species in the contest, and the winning art is printed on the next year's Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp, which also can serve as an Oklahoma waterfowl hunting license. Oklahoma waterfowl hunting licenses are required of Oklahoma waterfowl hunters, unless exempt.

"When waterfowl hunters purchase a stamp or a waterfowl license, they are funding on-the-ground habitat work," said Micah Holmes, information supervisor for the Wildlife Department. "The stamp is a popular item for collectors as well."

Duck stamp sales help finance many projects that benefit ducks and geese. Since the duck stamp program began in 1980, thousands of acres of waterfowl habitat have been created through duck stamp revenues.

Artwork may be of acrylic, oil, watercolor, scratchboard, pencil, pen and ink, tempera or any other two-dimensional media. The illustration must be horizontal, six and a half inches high and nine inches wide. It must be matted with white mat board nine inches high by 12 inches wide with the opening cut precisely 6.5 x 9. Artwork may not be framed or under glass, but acetate covering should be used to protect the art.

All artists must depict the ringneck, and any habitat appearing in the design must be typical of Oklahoma. Artists also can include a retriever dog in their entry, as long as the ringneck is the featured element of the artwork. For complete entry guidelines, call 521-3856.

Entries should be sent to the Duck Stamp Competition Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152. Fed Ex, UPS and other ground deliveries should be sent to 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

Entries will be judged on anatomical accuracy, artistic composition and suitability for printing. The winner and honorable mentions will appear in a future issue of Outdoor Oklahoma magazine. A non-refundable entry fee of $20 (cash, money order or cashier's check) must accompany each entry. No entries will be accepted after 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31.

The winning artist will receive a purchase award of $1,200, and the winning entry will become the exclusive property of the Wildlife Department.