Something to quack about
<p>Harrison Goecke's artwork was selected as the best of show for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Junior Duck Stamp art contest. The 15-year-old's painting of a merganser was chosen from more than 600 other entries.</p>
<p>This art by Cole Curtis, 10, of Coeur d'Alene, won Third Best of Show in the 2011 Idaho Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.</p>
<p>This art by Ryan Hamm, 11, of Coeur d'Alene earned Fourth Best of Show in the 2011 Idaho Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.</p>
POST FALLS - Harrison Goecke's duck art has taken flight.
The Post Falls 15-year-old's watercolor and colored-pencil drawing of a merganser and its reflection won the 2011 Idaho Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.
It soared over nearly 600 K-12 entries statewide and advances to the national contest with the possibility of adorning the 2011 Federal Junior Duck Stamp.
"This is my fifth year of doing it," Goecke said, adding that he won his age group before. "I thought I may have a chance to win Best of Show this time. I'm really thankful that I got it."
Along with a chance to win the national contest, Goecke, who is home schooled, won a carved wooden duck as the state trophy and items from the Fish and Wildlife Service. He won Third Best of Show in the 2010 state contest.
The winning artist of the national contest, which will be announced on April 15, wins $5,000 and a free trip to Washington, D.C.
Two Coeur d'Alene artists were Best of Show finalists. Cole Curtis, 10, won Third Best of Show and Ryan Hamm, 11, earned Fourth Best of Show.
Judges from the office of U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador, Nampa Mayor Tom Dale, Ducks Unlimited and Idaho Department of Fish and Game made their selections at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge in Nampa on March 23.
Goecke said he has enjoyed art most of his life.
"I've really gotten into it the past six years," Goecke said. "It's a way to express yourself and a fun way of letting go."
Goecke's father, Donnie Goecke, is a landscape architect.
Goecke said he isn't a hunter. He just enjoys them as an art subject.
"They're neat to draw," he said.
Goecke said judges have tended to flock to merganser paintings.
"Judges have always seemed to enjoy them," he said. "Their contrasting colors make them pop on paper."
Junior Duck Stamps are sold for $5 each and they are available at http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/. Proceeds of stamp sales fund scholarships for the national contest winners, state programs, marketing and environmental education materials.