Duck Stamp a wise purchase for conservation

The 2015-2016 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is now available for purchase. The image on this season’s stamp features a pair of ruddy ducks. This year’s stamp price increase (from $15 to $25) is the first “duck stamp” price rise since 1991. There has been no change in proceeds usage; ninety-eight percent of collected funds will continue to go into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports wetland acquisition and conservation easements for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

“In the early 20th Century, waterfowl population numbers were at an all-time low,” said wildlife biologist Seth Maddox. “Factors contributing to that drastic decline included a poor understanding of biology, rampant draining of wetlands, inadequate farming practices, and overharvesting of migratory waterfowl species. Something had to be done to save wild waterfowl species from extinction.”

Fortunately, something was. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed a special committee to evaluate the dire situation of declining waterfowl populations and to recommend a viable waterfowl management and restoration plan. Committee members include such notable personages as J.N. “Ding” Darling, Dr. Thomas H. Beck, and Aldo Leopold, who were all well-known and respected conservationists. To counteract waterfowl population decline and maintain subsequent healthy waterfowl population levels, the committee recommended a number of laws and regulations be enacted. These included bag limits, hunting licenses, a ban on interstate transport and sale of wildlife, arms and ammunition restrictions, and the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

“The committee also recommended the federal government spend $25 million to purchase 12 million acres of land specifically set aside for wildlife protection,” Maddox said. “There was majority support for this proposal, but the U. S. government had no way of funding it during Depression times.”

Two groups brought valid and worthwhile ideas to the table. The American Game Protective Association (now the American Wildlife Conservation Foundation) had been advocating for years the passage of a duck stamp bill using the slogan “Ducks for a Dollar.” A group calling itself More Gamebirds for America (now Ducks Unlimited) supported a one-cent tax on shotgun shells to raise revenue. Eventually the duck stamp became the favored idea and President Roosevelt signed the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act into law in March, 1934.

Ding Darling, director of the Bureau of Biological Survey (forerunner of today’s U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service), was also an artist and cartoonist. He created the first duck stamp design and the stamp became commonly known as the “Federal Duck Stamp.” The stamp was enacted as a federal license to hunt migratory waterfowl.

“Under this act,” Maddox explained, “all waterfowl hunters over the age of 15 must annually purchase and carry a Federal Duck Stamp. The program is managed by the Department of the Interior’s U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and approximately 98 cents of every dollar spent on the stamp goes into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. This money is used to purchase wetlands and wildlife habitat as a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The land purchased not only benefits waterfowl, but numerous other species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. It is also estimated that one-third of the nation’s threatened and endangered species use habitats in the National Wildlife Refuges. A current Federal Duck Stamp is also good for free admission onto any National Wildlife Refuge that charges an entry fee.”

Since 1934, more than 135 million Federal Duck Stamps have been purchased. These purchases have generated almost $1 billion for the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which has been used to purchase close to 6 million acres of habitat.

“With the protected habitat and rebound in wildlife population numbers, the Federal Duck Stamp Program has been called one of the most successful conservation efforts in history,” Maddox said. “Many states and other countries have emulated the program by creating hunting stamps of their own to generate revenue for wildlife conservation and habitat protection.”

Even if you are not a waterfowl hunter, you can still purchase a duck stamp. Birders, photographers, artists, and many other outdoors enthusiasts contribute to conservation efforts every year with their federal stamp purchases. Stamp collectors as well find the annual duck stamp highly prized and desirable.

Federal Duck Stamps are sold at many sporting goods outlets and other retail locations. They can also be purchased at many National Wildlife Refuges, U.S. Post Offices, and online through Amplex. As an added convenience, especially for hunters, the E-Stamp Program allows you to buy a duck stamp online and instantly obtain a printable receipt valid for use as a duck stamp for 45 days, within which time a physical duck stamp is mailed to you.

Considering our use of the nation’s National Wildlife Refuges and the still-efficient way duck stamp dollars are managed and used, the annual purchase of a Federal Duck Stamp is a sound investment indeed.