Jeffrey Klinefelters Greater White-Fronted Goose Wins 2026-27 California Duck Stamp Contest

A flock of white‑fronted geese has finally found a new face on California’s duck stamp. On September 10, 2026, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that Jeffrey Klinefelter’s painting of a greater white‑fronted goose will be the official design for the 2026‑27 Duck Stamp. The decision followed a rigorous review of entries that began in June, when a panel of ornithologists, conservationists, artists and printing experts evaluated submissions from artists across the United States.

The contest, a cornerstone of California’s wildlife conservation since 1971, invites artists to capture a waterfowl species chosen each year by the California Fish and Game Commission. For this cycle, the commission selected the greater white‑fronted goose—a species that breeds in the Arctic tundra and migrates to California’s Central Valley, where it can be seen in large flocks on wetlands and agricultural fields. Its brown‑gray body, barred belly and distinctive white forehead have earned hunters the nickname “specklebelly.”

Klinefelter, a wildlife artist based in Etna Green, Indiana, has a proven track record in the program. He won the 2020‑21 California Duck Stamp Art Contest and has earned first place in several Upland Game Bird Stamp contests. CDFW Migratory Game Bird Biologist Andrea Mott praised his work as “incredibly lifelike and detailed,” noting how the goose is rendered in a realistic pose against a backdrop that echoes California’s landscape.

The judging panel assessed each entry on originality, artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, and suitability for reproduction as a stamp and print. While Klinefelter took first place, Diane Ford earned second, Donald Shlie came in third, and Lee Hoemann received an honorable mention.

California’s automated licensing system means hunters no longer need to carry a physical stamp in the field; proof of purchase is recorded electronically on the license. Nonetheless, CDFW continues to produce physical stamps for hunters and collectors who prefer a tangible keepsake. All proceeds from stamp sales are directed straight to waterfowl conservation projects across the state.

The 2026‑27 stamp will be printed in the fall and distributed to the public in the spring of 2027. CDFW officials emphasized that the program remains a vital source of funding for California’s waterfowl and wetland conservation efforts. The agency’s communications office confirmed that the stamp will be available for purchase through its online store and at regional wildlife centers.

Since its inception, the Duck Stamp program has blended art and advocacy, inviting artists nationwide to contribute original depictions of a chosen waterfowl species. The winning artwork is reproduced on a stamp that hunters purchase for use on their licenses, and the revenue generated supports habitat restoration, research, and public education initiatives throughout the state. The program’s long history reflects California’s commitment to balancing agricultural use of the Central Valley with the protection of migratory bird populations.

Klinefelter’s winning painting underscores the program’s dedication to high‑quality wildlife art and to the conservation of California’s migratory bird populations. The greater white‑fronted goose, which relies on Central Valley wetlands during winter, benefits directly from the funding generated by stamp sales. As California continues to navigate the challenges of agricultural development and habitat preservation, the Duck Stamp program remains a key tool in that effort.

For now, hunters and collectors can look forward to seeing Klinefelter’s depiction of the greater white‑fronted goose on the 2026‑27 California Duck Stamp in the coming months.