Art entries sought for wildlife, game bird stamps

State officials are seeking entries for the annual art contest to depict two local wildlife species for the 2022-23 Hawaii wildlife conservation and game bird stamp.

The wildlife stamp is a requirement on Hawaii state hunting licenses, while the game bird stamp is required for anyone intending to hunt game birds, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Both stamps will be available to stamp collectors.

The chukar partridge, which is native to Asian and Eastern Europe and was introduced to Hawaii in 1923, is the subject for this year’s game bird stamp.

The ‘i‘iwi, which is federally listed as threatened statewide, is the subject for the wildlife conservation stamp.

Requirements for the contest include:

● Setting: Hawaii habitat.

● Size: Completed painting with a maximum of 24 inches by 36 inches and unframed (to be reduced to a 1-inch-by-1.5inch stamp).

● Medium: Oil or acrylic.

● Entry: Completed oil or acrylic painting or an 8.5-inchby-11-inch photo, print or photocopy of a completed painting.

All entries must be received by Feb. 25. Notification of the winner will be made in March.

All paintings sent must be accompanied by a $35 fee to cover the cost of returning artwork. If a check is not included, artists will need to come to the administration office to pick up their artwork. Checks are to be made payable to the DLNR. Otherwise, a photo, print or photocopy of an original painting may be sent with no fee.

The winner will receive a maximum award of $1,000.

Funds from Hawaii wildlife conservation stamp sales go into the state Wildlife Revolving Fund to support wildlife populations and habitat and to manage hunting.

Last year, revenues from both stamps were used to cover some of the costs of maintaining hunting units and to add game bird and game mammal hunting opportunities where possible. Proceeds from the sales of wildlife conservation stamps will also provide funds for the annual lease rental of the Lanai Cooperative Game Management Area and several other hunting leases.