05-02-2008, 08:22 PM
CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced the great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) as the feature species for the 25th Annual Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art Competition.
This competition crowns the painting that will be featured on Wyoming's 2009 conservation stamps, a stamp required for hunting and fishing in the state. Entries will be accepted beginning Jan. 1, 2008. Professional artists from across the country are invited to compete.
Each year, the Game and Fish selects one species to be the subject of the competition and eventually appear on more than 300,000 conservation stamps. The great gray owl is the largest owl in North America. As its name indicates, it is a dusky, dark gray overall, with bars of light gray and white. It has a prominent white collar at its neck, and a dark chin spot above two white "moustaches."
"The great gray owl is an impressive-looking species," says Reg Rothwell, biological services supervisor for the Game and Fish. "It is a year-round resident of Wyoming, living in dense conifer forests in the northwest corner and western edge of the state."
The owl is one of 279 birds, fish, mammals and reptiles considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need under the Game and Fish's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. Little is known about the distribution and abundance of the owl in Wyoming, and its relatively secretive nature make spotting a great gray owl a special experience.
The owl will also be one of featured species in the department's winter "Species of the Season" program.
"We think it will make an excellent subject and hope its appearance on the conservation stamp will raise awareness about the owl and the importance of Wyoming's other species of greatest conservation need," explains Rothwell.
Rothwell urges potential artists to research the species and its habitat before beginning, as the artwork will be evaluated for biological and habitat accuracy.
"Spend some time learning about this unique species, including what it looks like, how it has adapted for survival and what type of habitat it prefers in Wyoming," he advises. "It's a really neat bird, and the research will make your artwork that much more accurate and realistic."
Entries will close March 1, 2007. Selection of the winning artwork will take place March 14, 2007 at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne. First-place receives $2,500; second place $1,500; third place, $1,000; fourth place $500; and fifth place $250. All artwork, except for first place, will be available for sale and exhibited at the museum through the end of April. Entry forms and rulebooks are available at Game and Fish regional offices, at or by calling (307) 777-4600 beginning Nov. 5.
Last year's winning artwork featured a black-footed ferret painted by Jenny Forge-Schmalstieg of Effingham, Kan.
This competition crowns the painting that will be featured on Wyoming's 2009 conservation stamps, a stamp required for hunting and fishing in the state. Entries will be accepted beginning Jan. 1, 2008. Professional artists from across the country are invited to compete.
Each year, the Game and Fish selects one species to be the subject of the competition and eventually appear on more than 300,000 conservation stamps. The great gray owl is the largest owl in North America. As its name indicates, it is a dusky, dark gray overall, with bars of light gray and white. It has a prominent white collar at its neck, and a dark chin spot above two white "moustaches."
"The great gray owl is an impressive-looking species," says Reg Rothwell, biological services supervisor for the Game and Fish. "It is a year-round resident of Wyoming, living in dense conifer forests in the northwest corner and western edge of the state."
The owl is one of 279 birds, fish, mammals and reptiles considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need under the Game and Fish's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. Little is known about the distribution and abundance of the owl in Wyoming, and its relatively secretive nature make spotting a great gray owl a special experience.
The owl will also be one of featured species in the department's winter "Species of the Season" program.
"We think it will make an excellent subject and hope its appearance on the conservation stamp will raise awareness about the owl and the importance of Wyoming's other species of greatest conservation need," explains Rothwell.
Rothwell urges potential artists to research the species and its habitat before beginning, as the artwork will be evaluated for biological and habitat accuracy.
"Spend some time learning about this unique species, including what it looks like, how it has adapted for survival and what type of habitat it prefers in Wyoming," he advises. "It's a really neat bird, and the research will make your artwork that much more accurate and realistic."
Entries will close March 1, 2007. Selection of the winning artwork will take place March 14, 2007 at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne. First-place receives $2,500; second place $1,500; third place, $1,000; fourth place $500; and fifth place $250. All artwork, except for first place, will be available for sale and exhibited at the museum through the end of April. Entry forms and rulebooks are available at Game and Fish regional offices, at or by calling (307) 777-4600 beginning Nov. 5.
Last year's winning artwork featured a black-footed ferret painted by Jenny Forge-Schmalstieg of Effingham, Kan.