The Federal Duck Stamp turns 85 this year and it has never been more important to buy one, with proceeds from purchases going directly into providing funding to purchase and protect wetlands and associated habitat for ducks, geese and other wildlife species.
The new 2019-20 stamp goes on sale Friday, June 28. The stamps, which cost $25, are valid from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020.
The theme of this year’s Federal Duck Stamp is “Celebrating Our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage” and features a Wood duck and a decoy created by Scot Storm.
“Duck stamps are a great way for hunters, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts to invest in wetland and waterfowl conservation,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam, in a news release. “Whether you hunt or not, buy one or more duck stamps every year to help conserve our wetlands. The federal duck stamp program raises millions of dollars used to purchase and protect wetland habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System. These habitats benefit waterfowl and hundreds of additional species of wildlife.”
This year’s Junior Duck Stamp features a Harlequin duck by Nicole Jean. More than 3,000 junior duck stamps are sold annually for $5 each to help promote conservation education through art.
Formally known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, the Federal Duck Stamp dates back to 1934. In that first year, 635,000 stamps were sold, and to date every waterfowl hunter 16 years of age and older has been required to purchase the stamp to legally hunt waterfowl. A duck stamp also provides free admission to national wildlife refuges that are open to the public. They are sold at post offices nationwide and at many NWRs and sporting goods stores. Electronic versions also can be purchased online.
The Duck Stamp program has raised more than $1 billion to help acquire and protect more than 6 million acres of habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
