The host discusses the Federal Duck Stamp, a permit required for waterfowl hunters, which also serves as a conservation tool. The stamp is chosen through an annual nationwide art competition, and the host shares the intense competition, including a rivalry between artists Tim Taylor and Rob McBroom. The host's team created four entries for the contest, but they were disqualified or failed to impress the judges. Despite this, the host is auctioning off the paintings, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Federal Duck Stamp program, to raise money for conservation. The host invites viewers to bid on the paintings at bestduckingstamps.com.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The majority of duck stamps are sold to waterfowl hunters who must have a federal duck stamp in their possession while hunting.
2. The federal duck stamp is not a postage stamp, but a type of permit for hunters.
3. The cost of a federal duck stamp is currently $25.
4. 98 cents of every dollar made from duck stamp sales goes towards protecting wetlands.
5. Since 1934, the duck stamps have raised over $1 billion to protect over 6 million acres of wetlands habitat.
6. Non-hunters can also buy duck stamps and many collect them.
7. The design of the duck stamp is chosen through an annual nationwide art competition.
8. The competition is judged independently, and judges consider visual impact, anatomical accuracy, and how the art will look as a stamp.
9. The winner of the competition is awarded the chance to have their design featured on the federal duck stamp.
10. The competition has been running since 1934.
11. Anyone can enter the duck stamp art competition.
12. The Trump administration introduced a rule requiring all entries to feature hunting imagery, but this rule will be removed next year.
13. The duck stamp program has been a huge success for conservation, but stamp sales are currently down.