The Hautman Brothers: Award-winning Duck Stamp painters
MINNESOTA - It's not rare to see siblings face each other in competitions. Venus and Serena. Peyton and Eli. Now you can add the Hautman brothers to the list. Their arena: Duck Stamp Competitions.
The Federal Duck Stamp must be purchased prior to hunting ducks and geese, is a collectible, and also helps wildland conservation with its proceeds.
The three Minnesota brothers are masters of wildlife painting and collectively have won multiple state and federal duck stamp honors over the years.
Although Bob, Jim, and Joe share similar genes, they each bring something special.
"I know when I look at Bob's there are certain things I like about his more and there are certain things about Joe's I like," said Jim.
The Hautmans have the competitive spirit often found with brothers. Art, sports, and hunting kept them close then and now. Perhaps it started with a game of duck, duck, goose. As with most brothers, their competitiveness has not faded.
"Whoever's not getting critiqued is the expert," laughed Joe.
Luckily, that's for the judges to decide.