The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has announced the winners of the inaugural Wild Turkey Stamp Art Contest.
Lexington native Johnny Grandberry claimed the grand prize with his design titled “Woodland Suitors.” As a reward, his artwork will be featured on the state’s first-ever wild turkey stamp, which will launch ahead of the 2026 spring turkey season.
Maddie Walters of Pelahatchie won the 19 to 24 age category with her art titled “In the Wild,” while New Albany’s Allie Bullock took home the 15 to 18 award with her “An April Evening” piece. All three winners will receive an unspecified monetary prize sponsored by the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks, and Marine Foundation and will be featured in Mississippi Outdoors magazine.
Judging took place on Friday, August 8, at the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ Jackson headquarters. Judges included Keri Davis, Owner, Pacesetter Gallery; Bill Kincade, Chairman, House Wildlife Committee; Ben Suber, Chairman, Senate Wildlife Committee; Frank Dantone, President, Mississippi Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation; and Curtis Hopkins, PhD, Southern Region Director, Ducks Unlimited (retired).
“Thank you to every Mississippi artist who submitted artwork. A special thank you to our judges who were eager to support this important milestone. They had a tough job selecting from all the remarkable pieces submitted,” MDWFP Executive Director Lynn Posey said.
“The Wild Turkey Stamp ensures Mississippi will remain at the forefront of turkey conservation for future generations. We appreciate our legislature, Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks, Marine Foundation, conservation partners, and the public who helped make this happen.”
The Wild Turkey Stamp is the result of a multi-year legislative effort by hunters, conservation partners, and land managers to promote conservation efforts statewide. For Mississippi residents, the turkey stamp will cost $10. The cost goes up to $100 for non-residents. All revenue from the sale of stamps will be earmarked for conservation projects strictly seeking to restore, maintain, or preserve wild turkey habitats.
