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Federal Duck Stamp News

Federal Duck Stamp Program

The Federal Duck Stamp Office administers the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp Act. The Act requires use of a migratory bird stamp (Duck Stamp) for waterfowl hunting, and raises funds for the conservation of migratory waterfowl by the 1916 migratory bird treaty between the U.S. and Canada.

The Duck Stamp Office stages the annual Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, selecting artwork for the stamp that is produced by the U.S. Postal Service for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Click here to learn about this year's winner: http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/Info/news.htm. Originally created in 1934 as the federal license required for hunting migratory waterfowl, today these stamps have a much larger purpose.

For every dollar spent on Federal Duck Stamps, ninety-eight cents go directly to purchase vital habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Migratory Bird Conservation Commission oversees the use of Federal Duck Stamp funds for the purchase and lease of wetland habitat.

Anyone can buy and collect Duck Stamps (visit www.fws.gov/duckstamps/stamps.htm for information). Besides serving as a hunting license and a conservation tool, a current year's Federal Duck Stamp also serves as an entrance pass for National Wildlife Refuges where admission is normally charged.

Fun Facts:

From 1934 to present:

8.2 Million Federal Ducks Stamps have been purchased in California.
119.3 Million Federal Duck Stamps have been purchased nationwide.
$671.1 Million has been raised for habitat conservation by the nationwide sales of Federal Duck Stamps.

Most US Fish and Wildlife Service Central Valley Refuges and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) have been funded in part by Duck Stamp dollars. To learn more about these special places, click on the links below: