Why It Matters: At the end of 2023, S. 788 – Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 was signed into law by President Biden. Since that signing, as of May 28, 2024 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that waterfowl hunters will be able to fully take advantage of the Duck Stamp Modernization Act for the 2024 – 2025 hunting season, making a Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) priority a reality. On July 26, 2024, Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Chair, Governor Chris Sununu signed New Hampshire Senate Bill 310 (NH SB 310) – An Act Relative to bear registration, federal duck stamps, and the transport of out of state lobsters and crabs, into law, bringing the Granite State in line with federal law.
Highlights
- On July 26, 2024, GSC Chair, Governor Chris Sununu signed NH SB 310.
- The passage of NH SB 310 will remove any confusion in the state from the federal statute and brings New Hampshire in line with the federal statute by allowing hunters to have an electronic duck stamp on their smartphone for the entirety of the hunting season.
- Hunters will still receive a physical stamp as per longstanding tradition.
- The passage of NH SB is effective as of September 24, 2024
- CSF engaged early on working with the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus leadership to ensure Grante State waterfowlers were relieved of the confusion between the federal statue and state regulations.
On July 26, 2024, GSC Chair, Governor Chris Sununu signed NH SB 310 into law, bringing the Granite State in-line with federal law. NH SB 310 becomes effective September 24, 2024, in time for the 2024-2025 waterfowl season.
Technology has advanced significantly since the creation of the Duck Stamp. Allowing hunters to purchase stamps electronically improves access to the stamps and facilitates an easier pathway afield for sportsmen and women. Since being signed into law in 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp has generated over $1.2 billion for wetlands conservation and has helped conserve over 6 million acres of wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge System, making this program one of the best conservation investments we can make.
- As a top CSF priority, CSF engaged early with the New Hampshire Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) to advance the needed update to ensure Grante State waterfowlers were relieved of the confusion between the federal statue and state regulations.
CSF would like to thank Co-Chair and Co-Sponsor of NH SB -310, Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, Co-Chair Sen. Kevin Avard, and Co-Chair and NASC EC President, Rep. Jeff Goley for their leadership and efforts on the passage of NH SB-310. Additionally, we would like to thank GSC Chair, Governor Chris Sununu for signing yet another pro-sportsmen’s bill into law.
