Contest Details and Submission Requirements
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is inviting artists throughout the state to submit designs for next year’s durable hard card licenses. The department will select three winning designs—one each featuring a fish species, a wildlife species, and the iconic parachuting beaver—with each selected artist receiving $1,000 for their work.
Submissions must arrive by midnight on August 31. The department will notify winners in September, giving selected artists time before the new licenses roll out for the 2027 season.
Designers must create horizontal artwork measuring 16 inches by 11 inches with a .125-inch bleed. The final hard card dimensions are 3.625 inches wide by 2.125 inches high. Files must be submitted at 300 dpi resolution in one of these formats: .psd, .eps, .ai, or .pdf.
All designs must incorporate the Idaho Fish and Game “Go Outdoors Idaho” logo in the bottom right-hand corner. Artists face no limit on the number of submissions they may enter, allowing designers to explore multiple species and creative approaches.
Eligible Species and Design Scope
The hard card artwork must feature Idaho native species. Fish category submissions should showcase either cutthroat trout or steelhead. Wildlife designs may depict pronghorn or mule deer. The third category celebrates Geronimo, the state’s beloved parachuting beaver mascot, which has become a recognizable symbol of Idaho’s outdoor heritage.
Selected artists will be required to sign a professional service agreement granting the Idaho Department of Fish and Game rights to use their artwork on hard cards and in promotional materials, ensuring broad visibility for the winning designs across the state’s fishing and hunting community.
How to Enter and What’s Next
Artists interested in participating should prepare their submissions well ahead of the August 31 deadline. The department will not review any entries received after midnight on that date, so timely submission is essential.
Idaho’s hard card licenses are issued annually and serve as durable, wallet-sized credentials for anglers and hunters. The artwork featured on these cards becomes visible to thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year, making selection a meaningful platform for Idaho artists. The competition reflects the state’s investment in celebrating both the species that define Idaho’s natural heritage and the creative talent within its borders.
For additional details on submission procedures and design specifications, interested artists should contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game directly or visit the agency’s website for complete contest rules and file submission guidelines.
Community Art and Outdoor Engagement
This annual design competition underscores the department’s commitment to blending art, conservation, and outdoor recreation. By inviting submissions from across Idaho, the contest spotlights local talent while reinforcing the connection between the state’s creative community and its natural resources.
The hard card license program has become a way for Fish and Game to celebrate Idaho’s wildlife and fishing heritage through visual design. Previous years have showcased diverse artistic interpretations of native species, with designs ranging from realistic renderings to stylized illustrations that capture the spirit of Idaho’s outdoor culture.
Twin Falls County residents and artists across the Magic Valley region are encouraged to participate. The $1,000 prize for each selected design, combined with statewide visibility, makes this a worthwhile opportunity for both emerging and established artists looking to share their work with Idaho’s outdoor community.