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A ruddy duck painted by Stephen P. Hamrick of Lakeville, Minn., will be featured on the 2012 Minnesota Migratory Waterfowl Stamp.

Hamrick's painting was chosen as the winning design from among 26 entries in the stamp contest sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Thirteen entries advanced to the second stage of judging, from which four finalists were selected. The other finalists were second-place winner Thomas Buchal of Mahtomedi; third-place winner Ron Van Guilder of Cedar; and fourth-place winner Thomas Moen of Montrose.[[In-content Ad]]

The $7.50 duck stamp is required of all Minnesota waterfowl hunters ages 18 through 64. Stamp sales generate between $500,000 and $900,000 per year for habitat enhancement projects in state wildlife management areas and shallow lakes.

The DNR offers no prizes for the stamp contest winner, but the winning artist retains the right to reproduce the work. Each year, the entries are limited to a predetermined species that breeds or migrates through Minnesota.

The eligible species for the 2013 stamp design will be the northern pintail.

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