PA’s Waterfowl Management Stamp program has generated funding which was used to purchase nearly 5,000 acres of prime wetlands habitat across the state since 1983. The art program would later be expanded to what has become known as the PA Duck Stamp Contest.
Prior to the art contest being established, Pennsylvania’s first duck stamp was sold in 1983 using art produced by the legendary PA wildlife artist Ned Smith. The next year artist Jim Killen produced the art, and the following year, Ned Smith’s art was used again.
In 1986, the PA Waterfowl Management Stamp Contest was established. Mint stamps and limited-edition fine art prints were sold and the proceeds directed to enhance waterfowl habitat improvement projects and to purchase additional wetlands across the state.
As part of the Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo, the judging for the “duck stamp” contest traditionally has been held during the Expo. However, this year, due to COVID concerns, judging took place at the PA Game Commission’s Northwest Regional Office in Franklin, PA.
Access was limited to the judges, PGC staff, along with a few observers. Game Warden Jason Amory, who serves as the NW Region’s Information and Education Supervisor, introduced the panel of judges. The five member judges included: Jeremy Stempka, David Myers, Regis Senko, Michael Stutts and wildlife artist Gerry Putt. As a stipulation of winning last year’s Duck Stamp Contest for his art depicting a pair of snow geese, Putt was part of the judging team.
The artists were provided a menu of five North American species of migratory water waterfowl that included: Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Wood Duck, Redhead and Canada Goose as eligible species to depict. In all, 11 pieces of art were submitted.
The judging was conducted in three phases. At the start of each phase of scoring, each judge individually inspected the entries.
The first phase judges were instructed to choose art that should not move forward. Using numbered flip cards and without saying a word, each judge provided their ranking to a panel that recorded the scores. With the count completed, two of the 11 entries were released from further consideration.
A second round then took place. Again, the art was scrutinized. This time, four entries were held back from advancing. Now only five remained.
Five entries advanced to the final round. After each judge examined the remaining pieces of artwork, the final tally would take place. Again, the numbered flip cards were used to silently provide the scores.
The results: Fifth place went to Greg Bensko of Crabtree, PA., Jocelyn Bently of West Middlesex, PA, came in fourth. Barry Hammaker of Dillsburg was awarded third place. Coming in second was Scott Calpino, Bernville, PA. First place was awarded to Michael Kensinger of Altoona, PA, that depicted a pair of wood ducks and was awarded the PA Duck Stamp for 2021.
The first-place award is accompanied by a check for $4,000 and the artwork will become the property of the PA Game Commission. The Commission will publish and market a signed, limited edition print with the proceeds to benefit waterfowl projects across the state.
The artist will receive 100 artist proof prints, along with 200 mint stamps of the winning design. The prints and stamps may be marketed by the artist.
The runners-up will receive: $750 for second place, $500 for third, $400 for fourth and $250 for fifth.
Putt has been a professional wildlife artist for 41 years. His winning artwork accounts for 13 PA Duck Stamp wins and 10 Duck Stamp wins in other states. Gerry’s art has won four Working for Wildlife competitions and by the end of 2021, he will have his 50th cover for PA Game News.
After the winners were announced, Michael Kensinger and Gerry Putt reviewed the winning entries. Putt provided his own personal insight as to what he, as an artist, looked for when judging the art. The two talked in terms of light, angle, composition, color and details of each rendition presented.
For Michael Kensinger, this was his first win in the PA Duck Stamp competition and most likely not his last.
To order the 2021 Duck Stamp fine art print and mint stamps and support waterfowl habitat at the same time, go to www.pgc.pa.gov and log onto the Outdoor Shop.
(Charlie Burchfield is an active member and past president of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association, a member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association, and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers. Gateway Outdoors e-mail is GWOutdoors@comcast.net)
