The Federal Duck Stamp: History of This Unique Conservation Tool

“Conservation” is certainly a buzz word in the hunting community. With hunting evolving to more of a recreational activity than an absolute necessity to most Americans, the explanation that our hunting dollars support “conservation” is how many hunters defend and describe the activity.

We know that our license dollars and taxes from hunting and fishing equipment go to fund fish and wildlife management agencies and support not only game species but work for nongame such as songbirds. The conservation work that our hunting-related fees and taxes support is diverse and differs by state in how each agency chooses to fund habitat management projects or studies on various wildlife species of importance in the region. In addition to those funds, the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Federal Duck Stamp” exists to provide another source of conservation funding, specifically, acquiring lands to be used as refuge habitat for migratory birds.

1986 Duck Stamp of a Fulvous Whistling Duck by Burton E. Moore

Much of our current conservation law descends from early conservationists who observed the rapid loss of habitat and wildlife that was occurring throughout the nineteenth century in America. Rampant market hunting and unsustainable harvests coupled with draining wetlands for farmland contributed to the endangerment of many species and their habitats. Thankfully, the foresight of people who understood how these activities would affect the future of our native wildlife if left unchecked allowed for the passage of multiple laws to protect habitat and wildlife.

1942 Duck Stamp of American Wigeons by A.L. Ripley

One such law was the 1934 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act. The law required anyone over the age of 16 hunting migratory waterfowl to purchase a federal stamp for one dollar. The money from these stamps is deposited into the Treasury and is allocated to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. These funds are to be used specifically for acquiring lands to add to the national wildlife refuge system.

The design of the first ever federal duck stamp was completed by Ding Darling, who at the time was the chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey. Until 1949, wildlife artists were asked to submit designs for the duck stamp.In 1949, the US Fish and Wildlife Service initiated an annual art contest that anyone may enter to submit designs for the federal duck stamp. Winning the federal duck stamp art contest is considered a prestigious achievement for any wildlife artist! The US Fish and Wildlife Service website has a great archive of all of the past duck stamp designs that is fun to peruse.

1973 Duck Stamp with Steller's Eiders designed by Lee LeBlanc

Today, the duck stamp is no longer just $1. In 2020, you can purchase a federal duck stamp from a post office or other retailer for $25. Not only is it mandatory to possess a signed duck stamp to hunt migratory waterfowl, but it can also be used as a pass for entry onto wildlife refuges. Because the money from the duck stamp goes directly to important conservation initiatives, buying a duck stamp is a great way to contribute to protecting wildlife habitat whether or not you plan to hunt waterfowl.

In 2010, the electronic duck stamp, or E-stamp, became available for purchase. This allows you to purchase a federal duck stamp online through a state agency. The electronic receipt form of the stamp is valid as your duck stamp for 45 days after purchase, during which time the physical duck stamp will be mailed to you. This is a great option if you can’t make it to a post office or your local post office is out of duck stamps! In addition to the federal duck stamp, many state game agencies also require a state-issued waterfowl hunting stamp.

1992 Duck Stamp of Spectacled Eiders designed by Joseph Hautman

Since the beginning of the duck stamp program, over 5.7 MILLION acres of land has been procured for the national wildlife refuge system. Additional land has been paid for through conservation easement programs in which the land remains privately owned but is managed for wildlife habitat. In the United States, we have over 300 wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas paid for by hunters and other conservationists’ purchases of the federal duck stamp. While there is so much more that goes into the conservation ethic of hunters than just our dollars, the duck stamp is a great example of a user-pay program that benefits both game and nongame species for generations.

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