The new Federal Duck Stamp is now on sale. The 86th Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp debuts today, Friday, June 28, at a special event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Bass Pro Shops’ flagship retail store in Springfield, Missouri.
The stamp features a Wood Duck and a decoy in the background. Wildlife artist Scot Storm of Freeport, Minnesota, painted the art, which won last fall’s Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, held in Las Vegas. It was Storm’s second Federal Duck Stamp Contest win. His art previously appeared on the 2004-2005 stamp.
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Federal Duck Stamps cost $25 each. Waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older must purchase Duck Stamps, but anyone can contribute to conservation by buying Duck Stamps. In addition to serving as hunting license and conservation tool, a current Federal Duck Stamp is also a free pass into any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee. Because nearly all of the proceeds are used to conserve habitat for birds and other wildlife, birders, nature photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts buy Duck Stamps to help ensure that they can always see wildlife at their favorite outdoors spots.
Since the first Duck Stamp, depicting Mallards in flight, debuted in 1934, sales of the stamps have raised more than $1 billion to conserve nearly six million acres of habitat.
The new Junior Duck Stamp, which also went on sale today, depicts a Harlequin Duck painted by Nicole Jeon, 16, of Scarsdale, New York. Jeon’s art was chosen from among best-of-show winners from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories at the National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest held in April.
Junior Duck Stamps cost $5. All revenue from their sale goes to support recognition and environmental education activities for students who participate in the program.
Both the Federal and Junior Duck Stamps are available for purchase online, at many sporting-goods and retail stores, and some post offices (Federal stamps only), and at some national wildlife refuges. The 2019 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest to select the 2020-2021 stamp will be held September 27-28 at Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland. In addition to the judging and announcement of the winner, there will be family-friendly events and more. Admission is free.
How backyard birds benefit from the Duck Stamp
Painting of Mallards wins 2017 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
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