Buy a Duck Stamp or E-Stamp

7/11/2024 Statement on Duck Stamp Modernization Act  

On December 19, 2023, President Biden signed into law the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023. This Act modifies provisions regarding the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly referred to as the Duck Stamp, now allowing an individual to carry an electronic stamp for the entire waterfowl hunting season. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program has been working diligently to implement this Act for the upcoming 2024-2025 hunting season.

The 2024-2025 Federal Electronic Duck Stamps (E-stamps) will be available for purchase through previously enrolled states. E-stamps will be valid from the date of purchase through June 30, 2025. Participants in the E-stamp program must carry their E-stamp certificate when hunting in either digital or hardcopy depending on the laws of the state where they are hunting, as well as fulfill other licensing requirements. A physical Federal Duck Stamp will be mailed to each E-stamp purchaser between March 10 – June 30, 2025.

The cost of an E-stamp will be $29.00 ($25 for the stamp, $4 for the federal processing/convenience fee). Individual states selling E-stamps may also charge additional state fees and handling charges on any sales of federal E-stamps. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is not responsible for fees charged by states.

Traditional methods of purchasing the Federal Duck Stamp – from a consignee, through a local post office, through Amplex, and online through the US Postal Services Postal Store – will continue.

This website page will be updated as needed.

Federal Duck Stamp Program

Migratory bird hunters at or over the age of 16 must possess a current signed Federal Duck Stamp, along with state licenses and permits, to hunt legally. An E-stamp is issued to an individual and allows anyone to purchase a Duck Stamp online and immediately use the certification to legally hunt.

Hunters have played an integral part in conserving America’s wildlife and habitat - best illustrated by the success of the Federal Duck Stamp Program. For 90 years, by buying Duck Stamps, waterfowl hunters and others have supported the conservation of more than 6 million acres of wetland habitat. We appreciate the continued support for the Duck Stamp and will work to create a long-term plan for implementing the Duck Stamp Modernization Act.

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Buy a Duck Stamp or E-Stamp

Purchasing Federal Duck Stamps is easy! We offer a variety of methods for you to purchase the annual stamp – whether you need one for migratory bird hunting, admittance to a National Wildlife Refuge, as part of your stamp or art collection, to showcase the wildlife species, or because you want an easy and effective way to support habitat conservation.

The annual Federal Duck Stamp goes on sale at the end of June. A “First Day of Issue” event is often held to celebrate the artists, purchasers, and conservation partners.

Who Needs It?

Anyone can contribute to wildlife habitat conservation by purchasing a Federal Duck Stamp. Since quality wetland habitats provide habitat for a myriad of species – including threatened and endangered plants and animals – as well as provide clean water, aid in flood control, and reduce the effects of soil erosion and sedimentation a current Federal

Duck Stamp purchase allows you to be an active conservationist. Healthy habitats also enhance outdoor recreation opportunities which can provide an economic incentive to local communities.

Migratory Bird Hunters (primarily duck and goose hunters) at or over the age of 16 must possess a current signed Federal Duck Stamp, along with state licenses and permits, to hunt legally. An E-stamp is an electronic Federal Duck Stamp which is issued to a named individual. The E-stamp program allows anyone to purchase a stamp online and immediately use the certification to legally hunt.

The Service also depends on the U.S. Postal Service and our consignees to sell physical stamps at their locations or online through our consignment program.

Federal Duck Stamps are printed in two formats on pressure-sensitive adhesive paper. The most common format is the pane of 1 dollar bill-sized sheetlet which features a detachable stamp on a carrier with additional artwork and information. A smaller number of perforated sheets of 20 stamps are printed as well – these are primarily purchased by those wanting “just the stamp” and are harder to acquire.

Stamp and wildlife art collectors add to their valuable collections and support conservation at the same time when they purchase a Duck Stamp. As the longest running, single-themed stamp in the world, Federal Duck Stamps are miniature works of art. The design itself is chosen each year in the only open juried art competition regulated by the federal government. Artists can also become contributors to conservation by participating in the annual contest.

Process

• You can purchase your stamp either online or in person
• To purchase in person, check with your local post office, sporting goods or outdoor recreation stores, or any 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 see if they have them in stock 
• If you need a federal duck stamp temporary certificate IMMEDIATELY for migratory bird hunting you MUST purchase an “E-Stamp” from one of the States below  *Please note: you may purchase an E-Stamp from any state, even though you are not a resident of that state
• If you do not need an E-Stamp and can wait 5-10 days for your stamp to arrive in the mail, you can purchase hunting and collectible federal duck stamps and other stamp products by calling or going online to Amplex or the Postal Store *Please note: you must have a signed physical stamp or a valid E-stamp in hand to be legal for hunting; a sales receipt is not the same as an E-stamp and is not legal to hunt with
• Sign your stamp if you use it for hunting or entry into a USFWS fee area 
• Share with your friends and family that you support wildlife habitat conservation 
• Visit a National Wildlife Refuge in your area and see your Duck Stamp Dollars at work 

Process to Purchase E-Stamps

*Please note: you do not need to purchase a hunting license or be a migratory bird hunter to purchase an E-stamp. You may purchase an E-Stamp from any state without being a resident of that state. For example, you can purchase a stamp from any of the states below, even though you live in Oregon.

To purchase an E-stamp:

1. Go to the hunting or licensing website for any of the states listed below. Hint: use search term including the name of the state and the words “hunt” and “license”

2. Create an account or log in if you are already enrolled with that state. *Please note: enrollment and purchase processes vary - please follow the prompts and instructions provided on the state website; please ensure you have included your current full mailing address where required

3. Once you have your account, you can purchase a Federal Duck Stamp through the state’s website. Convenience fees will be added to your bill. *Please note: above $29/stamp is due to the state charging additional state fees and handling charges. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife is not responsible for fees charged by states

4. You will be issued proof of purchase of a federal duck stamp under the information you used to register with the state’s licensing site. This “certificate” is valid through June 30. You will receive your physical pictorial E-stamp after the migratory bird hunting season has concluded (i.e., after March 10). 

States that sell E-Stamps

Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming