"Duck Stamp" changes

Rick L

Well-known member
this just popped up on another board I belong to-

today is the first I have heard of it and just so happens today is the deadline-

the powers to be are planning to require non game species to the migratory bird conservation stamp, as it was explained to me - to get non hunters and birders as part of the mix. which I would think would, give them more power in the refuge system. the comment period ends tonight at midnight- the original deadline was March 14th- but the report is that the overwhelming number of comments were negative and more time was given

the plan=
Including a Secondary Migratory Bird Species in 2016 Artwork Entries
Current § 91.14 explains that a live portrayal of any bird(s) of the five or fewer identified eligible waterfowl species must be the dominant feature of the design, but that the design may depict other appropriate elements such as hunting dogs, as long as an eligible waterfowl species is in the foreground and clearly the focus of attention. We propose to add to this section the requirement that an appropriate non-waterfowl migratory bird species must also appear in any entry submitted to beginning with the 2016 contest. We propose this change beginning with the 2016 contest in recognition of the 2016 Centennial anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty between the United States and Great Britain (on behalf of Canada) and to emphasize that habitat conservation benefits all wetland-dependent species.even many birders are not in favor
http://blog.aba.org/2016/03/duck-st...-the-birding-community-voice-yours-today.html

if you care to add a comment - there is a comment now button on the upper right here
https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FWS-HQ-MB-2015-0161-0220
 
Rick~

Here is what I sent a few weeks ago. You remind me that I still need to send paper copies to my federal Senators and Congresswoman:



This proposal to alter a successful program should be rejected from the perspectives of conservation, history, art and, ultimately, good government.


Heed Santayana's advice: " Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." The foundational role of sportsmen in U. S. conservation is continually neglected and forgotten. The all-too-common rift between traditional conservationists and "non-game" enthusiasts is both unnecessary and counterproductive. Government actions should bridge this divide through accurate and thorough education - and not confusing capitulation. The Duck Stamp should be celebrated as an example of hunters' very significant contributions to habitat conservation and all of the associated ecological benefits enjoyed and valued by many stakeholders.


The Duck Stamp needs artistic rejuvenation - because for decades now it has suffered from a predictable, formulaic and photorealistic style that precludes design creativity. The contemporary artwork used in the Stamp only rarely exhibits valid artistic merit. However, requiring an additional organism as a major subject/focal point - especially on the confined scale available to any stamp artist - would significantly aggravate the challenge to the artist. The suggestion is wrong-headed compromise and will produce "art" that borders on kitsch.


Find another way to enlist financial support from non-hunting wildlife enthusiasts but do not contaminate the existing program.


These views reflect my perspective as a professional conservationist (state government), lifelong hunter, naturalist and artist.


Respectfully,
Steven Jay Sanford
Chief, Bureau of Habitat (retired)
NYSDEC




Thanks for the reminder!


SJS

 
very well put Steve

if I had not already replied - i could be tempted to commit plagiarism

lol
 
I also agree Steve- very well written. I often have the feelings in my head, but do not have the gift, nor educational fortitude to put them into words...

I submitted a simple, yet to the point reply.

I wish I would've seen this earlier, I personally know Adam Grimm, this year's and a previous year's winner of the Federal Duck Stamp competition. I spent some time with him last weekend in Strongsville. I would've like to heard his opinion too.

I guess we'll see.

Jon
 
Here's a link to the comments of record... seems that public opinion is overwhelmingly against the proposal - wonder if they will listen?
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketBrowser;rpp=25;po=0;dct=PS;D=FWS-HQ-MB-2015-0161
 
Hmmmmnnn. Really don't see why everyone has their panties in a bunch about this decision by the folks running the stamp contest.

For example, I have repeatedly seen statements by contest carvers defending the right of various decoy shows to restrict what is allowable in a hunting decoy category, by simply telling the makers who choose to participate to follow the guidelines.

Seems like this is the exact same situation.

I wish people had been more vocal about last year's decision to jump the price of the stamp by 67%. At least that's something most of the people voicing a complaint actually were affected by.
 
Steve, the copy CC: to your House and Senate rep.'s offices is a worthwhile follow-up. From what I recall, they use a ratio of one physical contact on a legislative initiative equals X number of constituents who hold that view among the base they represent.

For others, since the comment period has closed, this may be a worthwhile avenue to pursue at this point.
 
RL~

Yes - this post lit the fire - I'm off to the Post Office right now with letters to my Senators and Rep - and the Secretary of the Interior. One of the joys of retirement is to be a crackpot who has the time to write....

All the best,

SJS
 
Steve, I must congradulate you for your letter of concern on the duck stamp changes. Very well written. Good luck with future letters. PAUL
 
"Ding" Darling and the rest of the passed WATERFOWL STAMP artists will be rolling in their graves over this newest of the Fed's PC #$^#$##$ travesties.
Sheesh.
 
Well, I generally belong to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" school, but based on Steve Sanford's letter, it sounds like the existing system is not producing great art. I have to say I generally find older duck stamps more appealing than the new ones.

On the other hand, I don't see the harm in allowing duck stamp artists to include non-game species in their art, and if doing so would increase duck stamp sales and result in more money for habitat conservation, I'd be all for it.

If a fine artist produced an appealing stamp featuring a grebe, or a greater yellowlegs, or any of the many non-game species I enjoy while hunting (and the rest of the year), I'd proudly put it on my license and sign it.
 
Good morning, Jeff~

I, too, would welcome a stamp that featured all those "non-huntable" denizens of duck marshes. My objection - from an artistic point of view - was the inclusion of them in the composition in addition to the main waterfowl subject - which is how I understand the proposal. Sounds too much like a Where's Waldo? cartoon to me.

I believe the decline in stamp sales - and the associated art prints - is among collectors. I think a less-expensive stamp might appeal to stamp collectors and other wetland enthusiasts, including non-hunting NWR visitors. I would be happy to purchase one in addition to my Duck Stamp. As you probably know, finding viable funding streams for non-game programs has been a challenge for many decades.

A separate, annual Wetland Wildlife stamp warrants consideration, in my opinion. In fact, I would avoid the administrative costs of a contest and instead mine the rich store of existing American bird art - starting with Audubon and including such talents as Fuertes, Jaques, Peterson, Gilbert, Sutton, Singer, Coheleach, Clemm, et al. (Being Old School, I would consider no art produced after 1970 or so.....)

The Wild Duck Chase (2012) is worth reading - the history and current status of the Duck Stamp program.

All the best,

SJS
 
Duck stamp art, and Contest Decoys, have followed parallel lines. Contests do there best to legislate ART, that some may argue, is the best way to stymie creativity.

As for non hunters playing a larger role in NWR's. Here in the East, that's been a trend for more than a few years.

Will the increase in duck stamp cost adversely effect sales? Only time will tell. We have less habitat and less waterfowl hunters than in the past. Solutions will not be easy. It will boil down (no pun intended) to clean water for everyone.
 
Major piece of deterioration in the stamps it that the expressive artistic things from the likes of Les Kouba have now been relegated to slick illustrations, totally lacking any possibility that any form of waterfowl hunting could be associated with this fluff stuff. Just an opinion from a guy whose idols were Willem DeKooning and Franz Klein. Now you know where it came from, Vince!
 
George - I've known that for a while... We have had many conversations. As well as "The Slide Show" you gave in the lobby at the old Westlake Show. Plus the slides of your paintings you so generously gave Mary Lee and I. Ya need to put down that foredom, stretch some canvas, pick up those paint brushes and get back to work. Just my opinion. Maybe even send one into the the federal duck stamp contest, to shake things up. Yer pretty good at that.
 
Good morning, Jeff~

In fact, I would avoid the administrative costs of a contest and instead mine the rich store of existing American bird art - starting with Audubon and including such talents as Fuertes, Jaques, Peterson, Gilbert, Sutton, Singer, Coheleach, Clemm, et al. (Being Old School, I would consider no art produced after 1970 or so.....)

All the best,

SJS

Now you are talking! Just save a spot or two for Winslow Homer--his whistlers in my icon have been my favorite waterfowling image for many years. And nobody has ever painted a better brook trout or pumpkinseed. Put any price on those stamps and I'd be a buyer.

I'm pretty sure I read Wild Duck Chase while staying in the Ding Darling Lodge at the National Conservation Training Center in West Virginia (otherwise known as "Club Fed") for a work retreat a few years ago. I know I spent many hours with Darling's collected cartoons. They could use your services down there--there are some sadly neglected boats in their collection.
 
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