Suttons Bay Man Wins State Duck Stamp Contest

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - A Suttons Bay artist won first place in the 2016 Michigan State Duck Stamp competition.

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that 43-year-old Chris Smith's painting was a pair of green-winged teals riding a fall breeze over calm water.

Smith previously won the state contest in 2005 and 2014. He placed second in 2013.

The painting will be reproduced on the Michigan Duck Hunters Association's annual duck stamps. The stamps years ago were given to every duck hunter who bought a state license. The licenses now are electronic, but hunters can order the stamps from the association.

Smith is a 1995 graduate of Lake Superior State University with a bachelor's degree in fisheries and wildlife management.

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