Junior Duck Stamp winner hails from Illinois

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that a depiction of a pair of ringneck ducks was selected to appear on the 2011-2012 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.

The design for the new stamp, painted by 17-year-old Abraham Hunter of Vienna was chosen by a panel of judges at the national Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest, held at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia.

The acrylic entry, which won the Illinois State Junior Duck Stamp Contest, was judged the winner among Best-of-Show entries from all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Proceeds from sales of the Junior Duck Stamp, which the Fish and Wildlife Service sells for $5 to stamp collectors, conservationists and the public, support environmental and conservation education efforts, and awards for contest winners.