Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"Well-written, insightful, and just plain fun to read." David Allen Sibley, author of the Sibley Guides to Birds and Trees
Review
"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: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession
Review
"When it comes to fascinating, quirky characters and their alternate-universe stories, Martin Smith is the master. His tale of the noble and obscure federal duck stamp, and the men who love it just a bit too much, is a delight to read." Edward Humes, Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and author
Review
"The Wild Duck Chase explores an arcane art competition and discovers beauty, obsession, and a host of vibrant characters (and birds). Smith's chronicle of this year-long quest to depict nature is endearing, poignant, and lots of fun." Melissa Milgrom, author of Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy
Review
"An eye-opening and thought-provoking glimpse into the downright wonderful world of duck stamp competition." Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle and Last Child in the Woods
Synopsis
THE WILD DUCK CHASE is the basis for The Million Dollar Duck, a documentary feature film, directed by Brian Golden Davis and written by Martin J. Smith, premiering at The Slamdance Film Festival in January 2016. The book 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 United States.
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. The competition also fuels dynamic tensions between competitors and judges, and among the invariably ambitious, sometimes obsessive and 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."
About the Author
Martin J. Smith is editor in chief of the monthly Orange Coast magazine and a former senior editor of the Los Angeles Times magazine. He is author of three crime novels, and his nonfiction books include Oops: 20 Life Lessons from the Fiascoes That Shaped America and Poplorica (both with co-author Patrick J. Kiger). Smith lives in Southern California.