SACRAMENTO – The winning design for California’s 2011 Duck Stamp will be selected at a judging event on May 27 on the West Steps of the Capitol.

Sixteen talented artists from around the country submitted their original art for consideration for the stamp.

In past years, California waterfowl hunters were required to purchase the stamp and affix it to their licenses.

This year, the implementation of a new licensing system means that hunters no longer need to carry a physical state duck stamp in the field, but the stamps will still be produced and will be sent to licensed duck hunters, upon request, after July 1.

The contest, sponsored by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) was open to all artists. Entrants were required to paint, draw or sketch the duck species chosen by the California Fish and Game Commission, which, this year, was the Barrow’s Goldeneye.

This year’s contest rules did not require submissions to feature both a male and female Goldeneye within the painting, but allowed entries to feature the species in an array of groupings at the artist’s discretion.

The contest entries will be on display under tents in front of the State Capitol, beginning at 11 a.m. The judging will run from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The judges’ panel, which will consist of experts in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing, will choose first-, second- and third-place winners, along with an honorable mention.

All winners will be on display at the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association’s annual show in Sacramento at the Double Tree Hotel in July.

All proceeds generated from stamp sales go directly to waterfowl conservation projects throughout California.

For more information about the California Duck Stamp program, please visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/about/duckstamp.