DNR Announces 2023 Wild Turkey, Pheasant And Waterfowl Stamp Design Contest Winners

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the winners of the 2023 Wisconsin wild turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamp design contest. Many talented wildlife artists submitted a total of 34 pieces for judging, which took place on Aug. 27 at the Wisconsin Waterfowl Expo in Oshkosh.

Each year, talented Wisconsin wildlife artists enter to have their paintings featured on the next renditions of the wild turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamps, which are available for purchase through Go Wild and license agents. By purchasing stamps, hunters, conservationists and stamp collectors fund habitat management and restoration around the state.

While hunters are required to purchase stamps to pursue these birds, anyone interested in supporting grassland, wetland and forest management activities is encouraged to purchase a Wisconsin wild turkey, pheasant or waterfowl stamp to support conservation in the state.

This year’s judges were Bruce Urben from the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, John Motoviloff from National Wild Turkey Federation and Cody Kamrowski from Pheasants Forever.

Wautoma resident Sam Timm won first place in all three categories this year. His wild turkey painting features a tom in strut with two hens. His pheasant design depicts two rooster pheasants in a farmland scene, and his waterfowl design shows a pair of buffleheads in flight over the water, based on a memory of a particular duck hunt that he had on Puckaway Lake here in Wisconsin. 

Timm is a self-taught artist who says his inspiration for wildlife art comes from being an avid outdoorsman and his passion for wildlife. He has been painting since his senior year of college in 1975.

Robert Leum of Holmen won second place in both the wild turkey and pheasant design contests. Patrick Sutter of Blue Mounds won third place in the wild turkey design contest, and Betty Casper of Almond won third place in the pheasant design contest. James Pieper of Iron Ridge won second place, and Keith Raddatz of Watertown won third place in the waterfowl design contest.

Please note that an electronic "stamp approval" is printed on the licenses of wild turkey, pheasant and waterfowl hunters at the time of purchase. Customers will not receive an actual stamp except upon request. To obtain a physical copy of a stamp, visit the DNR’s page on wildlife and fish collector stamps or go to any open DNR Service Center.

For more information regarding Wisconsin's wildlife stamps, visit this DNR website.