## Junior Duck Stamp 2026 Winner To Be Named In April

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host the national judging for the 2026 Junior Duck Stamp competition at its headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. A five-person panel will review the top submission from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. Judges start at 10:00 a.m. Eastern and are expected to finish by noon.

### What’s At Stake For Young Artists

The piece chosen by the judges will be reproduced as the 2026–2027 Junior Duck Stamp. Proceeds from the program support wildlife and wetland conservaton education and help connect young people with outdoor recreation. This release will mark the program’s 34th stamp.

### How The Selection Works

Each state-level competition sends one finalist to the national stage. The judges evaluate technical skill, composition, and how well the artist portrays the chosen waterfowl species. The national round is compact and focused; two hours is the scheduled window to review dozens of high-quality entries and pick a single winner.

#### Where Collectors And Enthusiasts Can Look

Entries and images are typically posted by the Fish and Wildlife Service on their online photo album after judging. Collectors who track duck-stamp issues tend to watch this contest closely—winning designs often spur interest among both youth-program supporters and specialty collectors. Expect conversations about first-day uses, framed prints, and educational outreach when the winner is announced.

#### Questions Or Follow-Up

If you need more specifics about the event logistics or the national judging, contact Valerie Fellows or Jen Wright at the Fish and Wildlife Service.