Hardcover

Published: 18th September 2012

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The Wild Duck Chase takes readers into the peculiar world of competitive duck painting as it played out during the 2010 Federal Duck Stamp Contest-the only juried art competition run by the U.S. government. Since 1934, the duck stamp, which is bought annually by hunters to certify their hunting license, has generated more than $750 million, and 98 cents of each collected dollar has been used to help purchase or lease 5.3 million acres of waterfowl habitat in the U.S.-the core of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

As Martin J. Smith chronicles in his revealing narrative, within the microcosm of the duck stamp contest are intense ideological and cultural clashes between the mostly rural hunters who buy the stamps and the mostly suburban and urban birders and conservationists who decry the hunting of waterfowl. At issue is preserving the habitat of ducks and other waterfowl for all to enjoy: If the number of hunters continues to decrease-and unless nature lovers support the duck stamp program-this landmark conservation effort faces possible extinction.

The competition also fuels dynamic tensions between competitors and judges, and among the invariably ambitious, sometimes obsessive, and often eccentric artists-including Minnesota's three fabled Hautman brothers, the "New York Yankees" of competitive duck painting. Martin Smith takes readers down an arcane and uniquely American rabbit hole into a wonderland of talent, ego, art, controversy, scandal, big money, and migratory waterfowl.

Martin Smith's The Wild Duck Chase is a smartly written, wonderful look at waterfowl conservation at its apex. Every page was a treat. Once you start, you won't be able to stop. Highly recommend! -- Douglas Brinkley, Professor Of History At Rice University And Author Of Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt And The Crusade For America Participation borders on and, frequently, merges with obsession ... And obsession makes for a surprisingly compelling read. Los Angeles Times Well-written, insightful, and just plain fun to read. -- David Allen Sibley, Author Of The Sibley Guide To Birds An interesting bit of Americana well reported. Kirkus Reviews Martin Smith investigates a little-known federal program and finds it brimming with fun characters, a quirky culture, and valuable lessons for anyone who wants government to actually work. -- Mark Obmascik, Author Of The Big Year

ISBN: 9780802779526
ISBN-10: 0802779522
Audience: General
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 272
Published: 18th September 2012
Dimensions (cm): 21.8 x 14.5  x 3.3
Weight (kg): 0.392