Quail, turkey conservation stamp winners unveiled

CANEHILL – Winners of the Arkansas Quail Stamp and Arkansas Turkey Stamp competitions were announced March 13 at Historic Cane Hill Gallery, about 3 miles southeast of Lincoln in Washington County.

“Bobwhite Quail Pair” by Abraham Hunter took the grand prize in the quail stamp competition. “Quail Valley” by Amanda Hukill was second and “Edge of Maze” by Scott Hiestand” was third.

“Morning Mist” by Amanda Hukill won the turkey stamp grand prize. Second place went to “Sound” of Spring” by Abraham Hunter and third went to “Ridge Top Strutting” by Rick Morkel.

“The King of Spring” by Caleb Metrich won the Curator’s Award. Works by the grand prize winners, which received a $2,500 cash prize, will appear on the new editions of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Stamp and the Eastern Wild Turkey Conservation Stamp issued by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Second-place artwork received $500 and third place received $250.

The stamps have raised $2.2 million over the years for habitat restoration across the state. Anyone may purchase the stamps, which are not required for hunting, for $9.50 each at www.agfc.com/license.

The juried art competition attracted 110 entries from 28 states. A selection of the entries and turkey calls made by Don and Sarah Clark will be on display at Historic Cane Hill Gallery through April 19.

Historic Cane Hill, a nonprofit group, is the curator of the legacy of Canehill, which is the oldest continuous settlement in Washington County. The community includes historic buildings, an art gallery, a museum, trails and a venue for special events. Visit historiccanehillar.org for more information.

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CUTLINES:

QUAIL ARTWORK
AGFC Turkey Program Coordinator David Moscicki (left) and AGFC Quail Program Coordinator Clint Johnson with grand prize-winning “Bobwhite Quail Pair” by Abraham Hunter. Photo courtesy of Historic Cane Hill.

TURKEY ARTWORK
Lawrence McElroy, director of arts and culture at Historic Cane Hill, with Amanda Hukill and her grand prize artwork “Morning Mist.” Photo courtesy of Historic Cane Hill.