The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) revealed some exciting news recently, especially for resident artists: To help launch the 2026 Mississippi Spring Turkey Season, the MDWFP is creating the first-ever Mississippi Wild Turkey Stamp.
Actually, a Mississippi artist will be the creator of this inaugural stamp via the MDWFP’s Wild Turkey Stamp Art Contest.
Open to any Mississippi resident ages 15 and up, this kickoff art campaign invites artists to submit original artwork through July 21 depicting the Eastern wild turkey (scientifically known as Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) in a natural Mississippi wildlife setting.
Artists must accurately depict the turkey’s anatomy and biology, and the artwork must align correctly with the chosen season shown in the artwork. Artists should also keep in mind the required dimensions of the Wild Turkey Stamp while planning and rendering their submissions.
The Mississippi Wild Turkey Stamp will help fund and support the turkey population and its Mississippi wildlife habitat. Inspired by the success of similar duck stamps, this legislative conservation effort is thanks to Mississippi hunters, conservation partners, land managers, and state leaders.
Artwork will be judged from three age categories: Mississippi artists, ages 15 to 18; ages 19 to 24; and ages 25 and up. A select panel of judges will select one winner per category to receive a $500 gift card, while one overall winner will be chosen from those three artists. The overall winner will receive an additional $500, with his/her artwork featured on Mississippi’s official 2026 Wild Turkey Stamp.
Not only will Mississippi’s winning artist receive a monetary award, MDWFP will share the winning artist’s work via social media, email, and a spot in the Mississippi Outdoors Magazine.
To participate in the state’s Wild Turkey Stamp Contest, artists may submit their art via mail or at five designated drop-off locations throughout the state. Make sure to browse the MDWFP contest website and carefully read the required specifications for entry procedures, artwork medium, entry size, packaging requirements, and eventual stamp size.
Most importantly, read and download the official 2025 MDWFP Turkey Stamp Art Entry Form. Then, mail entries to:
MDWFP
ATTN: Turkey Stamp Art Contest
1505 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS 39211.
Artists may also drop off artwork in person at one of the MDWFP offices in these five cities: Jackson, Enid, Tupelo, Canton, or Magnolia.
To find the official entry form, the addresses of these offices, and more contest information, visit: https://www.mdwfp.com/wildlife-hunting/wildlife-species-program/wild-turkey-program/2026-spring-turkey-season-updates/wild-turkey-stamp-art-contest.
