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With his detailed depiction of a pair of Ross' geese, waterfowl artist Richard Clifton has claimed his third Colorado Waterfowl Stamp art contest win in a row. Clifton first won the annual competition to be featured on the state's waterfowl stamp in 2010 with his depiction of two flying pintails. With his 2012 victory, Clifton is awarded $3,500 and his artwork will be featured on the 2012 Colorado Waterfowl Stamp.

Clifton's rendering of a pair of Ross' geese was selected for the 2012 Colorado waterfowl stamp by a team of judges from around the state. There were a total of 40 artists who submitted their work, representing 19 states.

The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program was implemented in 1990 and provides funding to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. Waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and older are required by state law to purchase the $5 waterfowl stamp validation annually before hunting.  In addition to hunters, many collectors aid in wetland conservation by purchasing collector stamps and prints that are created from the winning entry.

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With 41 wilderness areas totaling to more than 4 million acres of roadless terrain and a higher average elevation than any other state, Colorado is a paradise for backcountry hunting and fishing.

Whether you’re hunting elk in the high country or fishing for native cutthroats in an alpine lake, the combination of the rugged terrain and an unexpected turn in the weather could potentially lead to a life-threatening incident. Therefore, the most important thing to have with you while exploring remote locations can be a survival kit and some basic survival knowledge. Survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt takes us through a 10 chapter practical guide to outdoor survival in Colorado's backcountry.

Outdoor Survival: Chapter 1-Defining Survival