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Outdoor Recreation

2009 Waterfowl Stamp Competition

BARRY JULIUS SWEEPS 2009 MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION STAMP CONTESTS

Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Barry Julius' painting of a White-winged Scoter drake decoy has taken top honors in the 2009 Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Contest. The decoy was crafted by Samuel A. Fabens, formerly of Marblehead. In winning this competition, Barry Julius completed a sweep of the 2009 Massachusetts Conservation Stamps, having previously won the competitions for the 2009 Archery stamp and 2009 Primitive Firearms stamp. This "stamp sweep" is a first in agency history according to Ellie Horwitz, MassWildlife Chief of Information and Education and coordinator of the stamp programs.

Julius, a Brockton resident, is a well known wildlife artist who enjoys participating in the state's art contests. An active sportsman since childhood, Barry Julius grew up in East Bridgewater. He studied graphics and design at Massasoit Community College and initially planned to pursue a career in advertising. He taught art for many years and now serves as a recreation officer for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. His art remains an active hobby. Julius had previously won the archery/primitive firearms stamp competition in 1995, the archery stamp competition in 2002 and the Massachusetts waterfowl stamp competition in 2001 with a painting of a resting Black Duck by A. Elmer Crowell. He has also placed high in wildlife art contests in other northeastern states.

The Massachusetts waterfowl stamp is the only waterfowl stamp series in the country requiring designs to be of working decoys - ducks, geese or shorebirds - made by deceased Massachusetts decoy makers. Julius' artwork will be reproduced on the Massachusetts 2009 waterfowl stamp which will go on sale in December of 2008. The $5.00 stamp is required of all waterfowl hunters. Revenues from the sale of the stamps fund waterfowl habitat enhancement projects in Massachusetts and in the Canadian Maritime Provinces, which provide critical breeding habitat for ducks and geese that winter in the Commonwealth. Stamp collectors and other conservationists also purchase these stamps for their beauty and to assist in wetlands conservation. The Massachusetts Waterfowl stamp series, which began with a Wood duck drake decoy in 1974, has raised over $1,000,000 for the conservation and management of key waterfowl lands. Arrangements for this cooperative international effort are handled through a partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

Further awards designated by the judges were: Second Place-Jay B. Jones of Shreveport, LA, for his rendition of a Blackbellied Plover carved by Elisha Burr. Third Place-Jay B. Jones of Shreveport, LA, for a Bufflehead hen carved by John Winsor. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Racket Shreve of Salem, MA, for his Red Breasted Merganser carved by J. Thomas Wilson and to Edward Suthoff of Gardiner, MT, for his rendition of a Merganser drake by an unknown Massachusetts carver.

Barry Julius and other decoy artists who submitted art for the waterfowl stamp competition will be honored at an invitation-only reception at the Marblehead Museum on September 18, 2008. The reception will honor the winning artists and the memory of C.G. Rice of Wenham, author of The History of the Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamps and Prints (published by the Peabody Essex Museum) and long-time friend of the Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamp Program. The award winning entries will be on display at the Marblehead Museum and Historical Society from September 18 through October 23, 2008, in conjunction with its planned exhibit of Marblehead-made decoys scheduled for September through December.