Why It Matters: The Hawai’i Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp Art Contest highlights the intersection between art, hunting, and conservation. Showcasing native and introduced species while supporting critical wildlife management programs, funds from stamp sales directly bolster Hawai’i’s Wildlife Revolving Fund, ensuring sustainable habitats and hunting opportunities for future generations. The initiative underscores the vital role of sportsmen and women in conservation through the American System of Conservation Funding.
Highlights:
- Winners were recently announced for the 2025-2026 Hawai’i Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp Art Contest, featuring Manu-o-Kū and Erckel’s Francolin.
- Stamp sales fund the Wildlife Revolving Fund, supporting habitat management and hunting programs.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is a strong advocate for the American System of Conservation Funding, highlighting sportsmen’s contributions to conservation nationwide.
The Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) announced the winners of the 2025-2026 Hawai’i Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp Art Contest, a celebrated tradition blending artistic talent with conservation advocacy. Patrick Ching’s depiction of the Manu-o-Kū, a native white tern that thrives in urban-community forests, earned the Conservation Stamp honor, aligning with 2025’s designation as the “Year of our Community Forests” by Governor Josh Green, M.D. Meanwhile, David K’s artwork of the Erckel’s Francolin, an introduced gamebird from Ethiopia and Sudan, secured the Game Bird Stamp win. These stamps, required for state hunting licenses not only celebrate Hawai’i’s unique biodiversity but also fund critical wildlife programs through the state’s Wildlife Revolving Fund, which last year supported hunting unit maintenance and expanded hunting opportunities.
Hawai’i’s hunting license structure, including mandatory conservation and game bird stamps, exemplifies a “user pays – public benefits” funding structure that channels revenue directly into wildlife management. This approach mirrors the broader American System of Conservation Funding, which has been the cornerstone of U.S. conservation for over 80 years. Through hunting, trapping, and fishing license fees and excise taxes on sporting goods under the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts, sportsmen and women contribute significantly to state fish and wildlife agencies. In 2024, these efforts generated an approximated $1.3 billion from Pittman-Robertson funds, and $430 million from Dingell-Johnson funds supporting state fish and wildlife agencies nationwide, including an estimated $10.5 million to DLNR conservation efforts. This system ensures that those who engage in hunting, trapping, and fishing directly support the resources they enjoy, benefiting both wildlife and the public.
The Hawai’i model, integrated into the ASCF, demonstrates how targeted funding sustains ecosystems and outdoor traditions. By requiring stamps for hunting licenses, Hawai’i ensures that sportsmen contribute to habitat preservation and species management, such as efforts aimed at axis deer populations. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation champions this framework, advocating for policies that protect hunting, trapping, and fishing rights while securing conservation funding. Through partnership with state and federal agencies, CSF has helped to pass resolutions in 25 states celebrating ASCF’s impact and works to educate policymakers on the importance of sportsmen-driven conservation. This synergy of local initiatives like Hawai’i’s stamp contest and national advocacy ensures that wildlife and public access to natural resources thrive for generations.
