Artists across the country have been invited to participate in Nevada's 2008 Duck Stamp Contest.

The contest, sponsored by the Nevada Waterfowl Association, is open to all artists with an interest in waterfowl regardless of their place of residence.

A full-color rendition of the winning entry will appear on the 2008-09 Nevada Duck Stamp.

Submissions may be completed in any medium, including acrylic, oil, watercolor, scratchboard, pen and ink, and others. However, photographs will not be accepted.

Participants are limited to a single entry that is their own creation and may not be copied or duplicated from previously published artwork. The Nevada Department of Wildlife must receive entries no later than Oct. 15, 2007.

The designated subject for the contest is the pintail, one of the most widely distributed waterfowl species in the world and among the first to migrate south each fall.

Despite Nevada's arid climate, some of the pintail's migration routes cross through the Silver State. These long, slender birds are named for their elongated central tail feathers and can be seen in abundant numbers during the late fall.

A seven-member panel comprised of two representatives from the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners, and five others appointed by the Nevada Waterfowl Association, will judge the contest entries. Results will be announced in mid-November during the association's fundraising event in Fallon. A list of the top-ten finalists will be available from NDOW beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 12.

Contest rules and entry forms are available at art supply stores, at www.ndow.org under "Wildlife and Habitat," and from the Department of Wildlife headquarters office, 1100 Valley Road, Reno, NV 89512.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety.

NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear.

Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license.

For more information, visit www.ndow.org.