Why It Matters: Under current law, when a hunter purchases an electronic federal duck stamp, the e-stamp is only valid for 45 days to allow for a physical stamp to be mailed. Once the 45-day period has passed, the e-stamp is no longer valid, and a hunter must have a signed physical stamp in their possession while hunting. This legislation will modernize this process by allowing hunters to have a permanent e-stamp on their cell phone while afield and will send the physical stamp after the latest waterfowl season has closed.
Highlights:
- On Tuesday of last week, the Senate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Leadership introduced the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023, a bill that will provide that electronic federal duck stamps are valid for the entirety of the waterfowl hunting season.
- Specifically, the Duck Stamp Modernization Act was introduced by CSC Co-Chairs Sens. John Boozman and Joe Manchin as well as CSC Vice-Chairs Sens. Angus King and Roger Marshall.
- This legislation will uphold and maintain the integrity of the federal duck stamp while simultaneously decreasing barriers to compliance.
Last week, the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 was introduced by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chairs Senators John Boozman and Joe Manchin and CSC Vice-Chairs Senators Angus King and Roger Marshall. This common-sense legislation will bolster the federal duck stamp, improve compliance for hunters, and safeguard the traditions of the federal duck stamp.
Since 1934, when the federal duck stamp was signed into law, the program has generated over $1 billion for wetlands conservation. On average, 98% of the purchase price for federal duck stamps goes directly back to improving wetland habitats and enhancing access for hunters – making this program one of the best returns on investments for conservation efforts. Furthermore, the federal duck stamp has conserved over 6 million acres of wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge System.
This bipartisan legislation will modernize the federal duck stamp process by allowing hunters to have an electronic duck stamp on their smartphone for the entirety of the hunting season. To uphold and ensure the traditions of the federal duck stamp, the physical stamp will be mailed to purchasers from March 10 to June 30.
“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) thanks Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Senate Leaders Sens. Boozman, Manchin, King, and Marshall for introducing the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023. By modernizing the electronic Federal Duck Stamp, this legislation safeguards the time-honored, artistic importance of the actual stamp, while also streamlining the licensing process for waterfowl hunters,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane.
CSF looks forward to working with the Senate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Leaders to see this legislation signed into law.
