The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is sponsoring an art contest for the 2011 design for the state's upland game bird stamp. This is the third in the Encore Edition after reinstating the use of original artwork for the stamps image in 2009.

The contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 18 and over. Entries will be accepted from October 25, 2010 until the November 19, 2010 contest deadline. The species to appear on the 2011 upland game bird stamp is the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo, Rio Grande sub-species) and must depict a pair (male and female).

An upland game bird stamp is required for hunting migratory and resident upland game birds in California. The money generated from stamp sales can only be spent on upland game bird related conservation projects, education, hunting opportunities and outreach.

DFG sells about 200,000 upland game bird stamps annually, including sales to collectors who value the stamps for their artist depiction of upland game birds. In addition to the stamps, DFG typically issues signed, limited edition prints that are sought by art collectors.

The upland game bird stamp contest will be judged by a panel of citizens with expertise in the fields of ornithology, conservation, art and printing. The winning artist will be selected during a public judging event to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010.

The winning entry will be reproduced on the 2011 California Upland Game Bird Stamp and may be available as collectible limited edition prints.

For contest information and entry forms, please visit the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/upstamp.