Why It Matters: Migratory birds present unique challenges when it comes to management. Since migratory birds do not recognize state and international boundaries, they require a special, interwoven framework of both federal and state management. A one-of-a-kind federal funding mechanism exists to support waterfowl management across a continent: the Federal Duck Stamp.
Highlights:
- The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act was enacted in 1934 and requires hunters 16 years of age or older to purchase and possess a valid Federal Duck Stamp prior to hunting migratory waterfowl.
- 98 cents of every dollar from the purchase of a Federal Duck Stamp are applied to wetland acquisition and conservation – providing critical habitat conservation for waterfowl and many other game and nongame species.
- The Duck Stamp Modernization Act was passed in 2023 allowing hunters to carry an electronic stamp, rather than a paper stamp, for the entire waterfowl season.
Few would argue that crossing your I’s and dotting your T’s before heading afield in pursuit of any game species isn’t complicated. Species, bag limits, season dates, method of take, and the list goes on when it comes to making sure you are legal to hunt whatever desired species you wish to pursue in any given state. Hunting waterfowl is no different. However, for over 90 years, there has been at least one constant for waterfowlers – hunters must purchase a Federal Duck Stamp before hunting waterfowl or other migratory birds, regardless of the state they are in.
Federal Duck Stamps are extremely lean when it comes to the use of those funds for on-the-ground conservation, with 98 cents of every dollar applied directly to wetlands conservation. While wetlands provide critical habitat for waterfowl, they are also home to countless other game and nongame species. Every season, hunters around the country flock to lands paid for and managed with dollars collected from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps. For example, National Wildlife Refuges across the country are funded, in part, through Federal Duck Stamp dollars. Additionally, Waterfowl Production Areas, mostly in the Prairie Pothole region of North and South Dakota, for example, provide prime hunting access for America’s sportsmen and women and are paid for and managed with Federal Duck Stamp funds.
Hunters aren’t the only user group that benefits from the Federal Duck Stamp. Wildlife photographers, bird watchers, hikers, and virtually anyone who enjoys America’s wild places have all benefited from the wildly successful Federal Duck Stamp program. If you are planning to visit a National Wildlife Refuge that charges a fee, purchase a Federal Duck Stamp, which will act as a free entry pass. Additionally, the extremely competitive art contest attracts artists from around the world to try their hand at being the face of next year’s Federal Duck Stamp that will be viewed by millions of hunters, conservationists, artists, and stamp collectors.
As many duck seasons are underway or are set to begin in the coming weeks, don’t forget to purchase your Federal Duck Stamp before heading afield.
