Jim Hautman of Chaska won the 2025 Federal Duck Stamp Contest, taking first place in the contest for the seventh time.

“Winning once was kind of a lifelong dream and that happened in 1989,” said Hautman. “To have won this many times has been just a blessing.”

The Federal Duck Stamp was established in 1934 to fundraise for conservation of wetland habitats. The contest for the stamp’s design started in 1949 and remains “the only art competition of its kind sponsored by the U.S. government,” according to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

Hautman, 61, was already of wildlife art notoriety. He and his two brothers, Bob and Joe Hautman, have numerous awards between them. In 2015, they made history by claiming first, second and third place in the contest. • 2016A real duck dynasty: Minnesot

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