The 2025 Contest will be held at the Patuxent Research Refuge National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel, Maryland, on September 18 and 19, 2025
Watch the Federal Duck Stamp Contest live! Day 1 of the Contest begins at 10:00am ET on Thursday, September 18th. Day 2 of the Contest begins at 10:00 am ET on Friday, September 19th, 2025.
For those coming to Patuxent Research Refuge, the doors will open at 9:00 am each day and the artwork will be on display. The Contest will commence at 10:00 am. For the first day of the contest, the estimated finish time is 3:30 pm. For the second day of the contest, we hope a winner is announced by *12:00pm.
*All end times listed are approximate and will vary according to the number of entries in each round of judging and the length of time the judges need to do their scoring.
The judging will be done in person at the National Wildlife Visitor Center. All are welcome to attend and watch the judging live, or you can watch the livestream online.
If you attend the judging in person, a food truck will be available and food may be purchased using a credit card or cash. Menu items include a kabob platter with rice and salad (chicken or beef), penne alla vodka, hummus, meatballs, and baklava. There will be a vegetarian and vegan option as well to accommodate dietary restrictions.
You can also purchase your Duck Stamp and have it signed by the artist, visit the Wildlife Images bookstore managed by the Friends of Patuxent, and visit the live screech owls that will be out in the mornings and during the lunch breaks.
Low resolution scans of the artwork are now available on the USFWS Flickr page. Empty score sheets are also available.
The Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest is one of the most successful conservation programs in our nation’s history. Duck Stamps are vital tools for wetland conservation, with ninety-eight cents out of every dollar spent on Duck Stamps going directly to wetland habitat conservation. Since its inception in 1934, sales of the Duck Stamp have generated over $1.2 billion that has conserved more than 6 million acres of wetland habitat for birds and other wildlife. In addition to the contest itself, partners will be hosting many other exciting activities in the area.
Visit the USFWS website to learn more about the Federal Duck Stamp Program and view the official contest regulations and entry brochure.
There is a large free parking lot with at least 90 spaces.
If you need a sign language interpreter, please email valerie_fellows@fws.gov and jennifer_c_wright@fws.gov by September 1, 2025.