Federal Duck Stamp | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (2024)

One of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is bybuyingFederal Duck Stamps - among the most successful conservation tools ever created to protect habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Federal Duck Stamps are conservation revenue stamps; 98 percent of the purchase price goes directly to helpacquire and protect wetland habitat and purchase conservation easem*nts. Since 1934, over $1.1 billion dollars have been raised from sales of Federal Duck Stamps conserving over 6 million acres of land within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Wetlands acquired with Duck Stamp dollars help purify water, aid in flood control, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, and enhanceoutdoor recreation opportunities.

Huntershave played an integral part in the effort to conserve America’s natural resources - best illustrated by the success of theFederal Duck Stamp Program. For nearly 90 years, bybuyingDuck Stamps, waterfowl hunters have supported theconservationof more than 6 million acres of strategic wetland habitat. Ninety-eight percent of the purchase price of the stamp goes directly to buy and lease wetland habitat onnational wildlife refuges.

The Duck Stamp Program remains committed to this vital and productive partnership with the hunting community. Hunters should know that . . .

• If youhunt migratory waterfowland you are 16 years of age or older, you are required to purchase and carry a currentFederal Duck StamporE-Stamp. Federal Duck Stamps are valid from July 1 through the following June 30.
• The art featured on the Duck Stamp is chosen every year in the only federally regulated and runart contest
• Duck Stamps can bepurchasedat a variety of locations, and online through theE-Stamp Program.
• A current, signedFederal Duck StamporE-Stampis good in any state you hunt. There is no need to buy additional Federal Duck Stamps for each state; however, you must have appropriate state licenses and stamps for each state in which you hunt.
• Sign the front of your Duck Stamp in order for it to be valid. Remember—only you can use your Federal Duck Stamp - wildlife law enforcement personnel will compare your stamp to your hunting license to make sure they are both yours.
• If you bought anE-Stamp, you must carry your 45-day receipt with you at all times while hunting. Once the receipt has expired, you must carry your current, signedFederal Duck Stamp.(Your store purchase/credit card receipt isnotvalid as a duck stamp)
• If you bought anE-Stampand you have not received your physical Duck Stamp after a few weeks, contactAmplexatduckstamp@amplex.comor 800/852-4897. Do not contact the Federal Duck Stamp Office.
• If you lost yourE-Stampreceipt, please contact the state agency from which you bought your E-Stamp. The Duck Stamp Office does not have any information about purchasers of E-Stamps.
• No refunds will be given for lost or destroyed Federal Duck Stamps.
• Don’t forget to buy a hunting license and any required state conservation stamps from thestate fish and wildlife agencyin every state where you will be hunting.
• A current Federal Duck Stamp also serves as a free admission into anynational wildlife refugethat charges an entry fee.
• We strongly encourage all waterfowl hunters to visit ourhuntingpage, where you will find useful information and links, from where you can buy a state hunting permit, to where you can go on the nearest national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
  A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

  Learn more about national wildlife refuge

  to hunt.

Thank you for your continued support in providing wetland habitat for our nation’s wildlife resources! Have a safe, enjoyable and successful hunting season.

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