The United States’ Federal Duck Stamp is singularly the most amazing waterfowl conservation tool in the world, generating over a billion dollars since its inception. Growing up in southwest Kansas, Rebekah Knight won the Federal Junior Duck Stamp at age 15, competing ever since. How did Knight become an artist and why did she start competing in the Federal Duck Stamp contest? How does she decide which species, how does she prepare and how much time goes into it? Why does Knight describe the relatively small circle of Federal Duck Stamp artists as family? The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed removal of “celebrating our waterfowl hunting heritage” theme from the duck stamp contest recently caused a stir among hunters, but what’s the backstory, how and why do wildlife artists feel about the proposal? Federal Duck Stamps are now available, a sure sign we’re in the homestretch to duck season.