More Minnesota artists have won the federal duck stamp contest than those from any other state. Two former winners reacted Wednesday to proposed changes to the stamp to include birds that are not hunted.

David Maass, 86, of Long Lake, has won two duck stamp contests and multiple honors from Ducks Unlimited. He was incredulous at the idea of altering the stamp format.

"I think it is a duck stamp. I have been involved in this for a long time. It's been a great program. I can't see why they want to change it," he said.

Maass said bird lovers and others don't appreciate the stamp the way those intimately devoted to waterfowl do. "[The stamp] was developed by hunters for hunters. I just can't see going to other species."

The brothers Hautman — Jim, Bob and Joe — have won the duck stamp contest an unprecedented 11 times combined. Joe Hautman had this year's winning design.

Jim Hautman, 51, of Chaska shared Maass' concern, but was a bit more philosophical.

"I am not crazy about the idea of making it mandatory. I just think the design could suffer," said Hautman, who has won four of those 11. "If that is the rule they make, we'll have to make it work and do our best."

David Maass of Long Lake

He considered the confines for an artist trying to work with more birds in a finite space.

"I like what they are trying to do … that people are understanding that the duck stamp is more than about ducks," Hautman said. "But from an artistic standpoint, I am worried about changing the program. I hate to mess with it."

Star Tribune staff