Jim Hautman, a Minnesota wildlife artist and four-time winner of the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, has had his work named as Pheasants Forever’s Print of the Year for the fifth time. “Busting Out,” Pheasants Forever’s 2014-2015 Print of the Year, will be available at Pheasants Forever chapter banquets to help raise funds for upland conservation efforts.
Hautman is thrilled to once again be contributing to Pheasants Forever’s mission. “I was trying to depict the excitement of birds flushing at the end of a field,” explained Hautman. “I wanted the location of the old farm building to suggest that the low area had been farmed in the past, probably during drought years, but has now returned to its natural habitat. This is the kind of area where I’ve had my best pheasant action.”
Since 1984 (two years after Pheasants Forever’s formation), Pheasants Forever has selected an annual Print of the Year – limited-edition prints that local Pheasants Forever chapters have used to raise funds for their area conservation efforts. Artists including Robert Hautman, the late James Meger (a record six Pheasants Forever Print of the Year selections), Rosemary Millette and more have contributed to Pheasants Forever’s wildlife habitat mission as Print of the Year artists.
Hand signed and numbered “Busting Out” prints (16”x24”) are also available in limited quantity at Pheasants Forever’s online store and in Print of the Year greeting cards.