The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife is seeking entries in an art contest to depict a Game Mammal and Game Bird for its 2021 – 2022 Hawai‘i Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp. The conservation stamp is required on the Hawai‘i State hunting license, and the game bird hunting stamp is required for those intending to hunt game birds. Both stamps (differing slightly in text) will be available to wildlife stamp collectors. Applications are available here:

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/files/2020/12/FY21-22-artist-application12_01_2020.pdf

Please note the following about this year’s contest:

• SUBJECT: Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) (Occurs on islands of Hawai’i and O’ahu)

• Mouflon-Feral Hybrid Sheep (Ovis musimon x Ovis aries) (occurs on Lana’i, Hawai’i, and the game ranches of Maui)

• SETTING: Hawai‘i habitat

• SIZE: Completed painting with a maximum of 24” by 36” and unframed (to be reduced to 1” X 1.5” stamp)

• MEDIUM: Oil or acrylic

• ENTRY: Completed oil or acrylic painting or an 8.5” X 11” photo/print/photocopy of a completed painting

• DEADLINE: All entries must be received by February 5, 2021. Notification of the winner will be made on February 20, 2021.

• SHIPPING FEE: All paintings sent must be accompanied by a $35.00 fee, to cover the cost of returning artwork. If a check is not included you will need to come to the Administration office to pick up your artwork. Checks are to be made payable to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Otherwise, a photo, print, or photocopy of an original painting may be sent with no fee (see application form).

• PAYMENTS: The winner will receive a maximum award of $1,000.

Background

Funds from sales of the Hawaii Wildlife Conservation Stamps go into the state Wildlife Revolving Fund to support wildlife populations and habitat, and to manage hunting in the state. Activities and projects supportedby this fund have included surveys of game bird and mammal populations; land leasing for hunting; predator control; and maintenance of wildlife watering units. In addition, planting of native shrubs and trees, controlled burns, removal of invasive plants, and other wildlife habitat improvement and restoration projects are supported by these funds. Last year, revenues from the Conservation Stamp and the Game Bird Stamp were used to cover some of the costs of maintaining hunting units and to add game bird and game mammal hunting opportunities where possible. Funding helped pay for facility development, game mammal and game bird surveys, management of hunts, signage, supplemental game bird releases in new areas, food crop plantings for game birds, mowing grasses and weeds to improve habitat and hunting access, control of predators, and annual leases.

Subject for this year’s stamps

Mouflon-feral hybrid sheep: Mouflon sheep were introduced to Hawai‘i Island in 1957. Shortly afterwards, biologists from the State Division of Fish and Game began crossbreeding purebred mouflon rams with feral ewes at Pu‘u La‘au on Mauna Kea. The hybrid and purebred mouflon sheep were all released throughout Mauna Kea from 1962-1967. Currently, most, if not all of the sheep currently on Mauna Kea, are hybridmouflon sheep. These animals live in the high elevation slopes of the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, in what is considered some of the most beautiful upland forests of Hawai‘i.

Kalij Pheasant: The Hawai‘i Division of Fish and Game introduced this popular game bird to Hawaiʻi in 1962 from Southern Asia where it was found in forests and thickets, especially in the Himalayan foothills, from Pakistan to western Thailand. At about 33 inches long, the males are black with a gray belly, while the females are mottled brown. They have a distinct red skin patch around their eyes and a crest of feathers atop their heads. They are relatively common in the upland areas, so they can be readily found on Hawai‘iʻs Big Island, most noticeably within the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, on southeastern slopes of Mauna Kea, and in the hills north of Kailua-Kona. On Oahu, a small population appears to be established in the western hills, including Nanakuli Forest Reserve.

Additional Resources

Copies of this announcement and the application form are available upon request, from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813. For

questions regarding the contest or to obtain an application please email: Jason.D.Omick@hawaii.gov