Federal Duck Stamp
The Federal Duck Stamp, officially known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, is an annual revenue stamp issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, required for all hunters aged 16 and older to legally pursue migratory waterfowl species across the United States.[1] Ninety-eight percent of the $25 purchase price directly funds the acquisition, restoration, and protection of wetland habitats essential for waterfowl and other wildlife.[2] Valid from July 1 through June 30 of the following year, the stamp serves as both a hunting permit and a key conservation tool, with electronic versions available for instant access alongside traditional physical stamps.[3] Enacted through the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act of 1934 amid widespread habitat loss during the Dust Bowl era, the program was spearheaded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and designed initially by noted conservationist and cartoonist J.N. "Ding" Darling, who served as the first director of the Bureau of Biological Survey (predecessor to the Fish and Wildlife Service).[4] The inaugural stamp, priced at $1, featured two mallards landing on water and marked the beginning of a self-sustaining conservation effort that has since generated over $1.2 billion in revenue, protecting more than 6 million acres of vital wetland ecosystems.[1] A distinctive feature of the Federal Duck Stamp is its annual art contest, held each September, where professional and non-professional artists submit original depictions of North American waterfowl; the winning design graces the stamp for the subsequent hunting season, with all entries judged on artistic composition, anatomical accuracy, and overall appeal.[1] Beyond hunters, the stamps attract collectors, birdwatchers, and conservation enthusiasts, amplifying their impact.[4] This program exemplifies user-pay conservation, ensuring that those who hunt migratory birds contribute directly to the preservation of the habitats they depend on.[1]Overview and Purpose
Description and Legal Requirements
The Federal Duck Stamp, formally known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, is an annual conservation revenue stamp issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).[1] Under federal law, it is mandatory for all waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older to purchase and carry a valid Federal Duck Stamp while hunting migratory waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, anywhere in the United States.[1] The stamp covers one full hunting season, from July 1 through June 30 of the following year, and must be signed in ink across the front if purchased in physical form to be legally valid.[1] Federal Duck Stamps are available for purchase at U.S. Post Offices, select FWS National Wildlife Refuges, authorized sporting goods retailers, or online through official platforms like the U.S. Postal Service website or third-party vendors such as Amplex.[3] For the 2025–2026 season, the stamp costs $25, with electronic versions (E-Stamps) priced similarly but potentially including minor processing fees depending on the vendor.[5] E-Stamps, enabled by the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023, provide immediate digital validity upon purchase—via mobile wallet passes or proof-of-purchase documents—and remain effective through the end of the season, after which a physical stamp is mailed to the buyer.[3][6] The only universal exemption from the federal requirement applies to hunters under age 16; individuals 16 and older, including non-residents, must comply regardless of other licenses held.[1] Lifetime stamps and exemptions for seniors (typically over 66) and those with disabilities are available at the state level for certain hunting licenses or state-specific waterfowl stamps, though the federal stamp remains annually required.[1][7] Proceeds from Federal Duck Stamp sales, with 98% directed to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, support the acquisition and protection of essential wetland habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife.[8]Conservation Funding and Impact
Proceeds from Federal Duck Stamp sales are allocated such that 98 percent of the purchase price is directed to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports the acquisition and management of wetland habitats within the National Wildlife Refuge System; the remaining 2 percent covers administrative costs.[2] Since the program's inception in 1934, Federal Duck Stamp sales have generated over $1.3 billion in revenue, enabling the conservation of more than 6 million acres of critical wetland habitat.[9] These efforts have provided substantial benefits, including the protection of key migratory bird flyways essential for waterfowl populations, enhanced biodiversity supporting numerous species beyond ducks, and vital ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood control, and soil erosion prevention.[2] In recent years, annual sales of the Federal Duck Stamp have approximated 1.5 to 1.6 million units (as of the 2022-23 season), generating about $40 million annually (as of 2025) to fund ongoing habitat acquisitions in priority wetland areas across the United States.[10][11]History
Origins and Enactment
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rampant overhunting and unregulated commercial trade in bird feathers led to severe population declines among migratory birds, prompting the U.S. Congress to enact the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which implemented international conventions to protect these species by prohibiting their unauthorized take.[12] Despite this legislation banning market hunting, concerns persisted into the 1920s and 1930s due to ongoing habitat loss from agricultural expansion and drought, exacerbated by the economic hardships of the Great Depression, which strained federal budgets for conservation efforts.[4] Sportsmen and conservationists, alarmed by plummeting waterfowl numbers during the Dust Bowl era, advocated for dedicated funding mechanisms to acquire and protect vital wetlands.[4] To address these challenges, Congress passed the Migratory Bird Conservation Act in 1929, establishing the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission to oversee the purchase or lease of suitable habitats and authorizing the acquisition of up to 2 million acres of land and water for waterfowl refuges.[13] However, with limited federal appropriations available amid the Depression, the act's ambitious goals remained largely unfunded, highlighting the need for a self-sustaining revenue source tied directly to hunting activities.[4] This gap was bridged by the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, introduced to generate revenue from waterfowl hunters themselves. On March 16, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the legislation into law, requiring all hunters aged 16 and older to purchase an annual stamp before pursuing migratory birds, with proceeds directed to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund for habitat acquisition and management without reliance on general appropriations.[14] The act built directly on the 1929 framework, ensuring that stamp sales would support the protection of essential refuges for ducks, geese, and swans.[15] The first Federal Duck Stamp was issued on August 22, 1934, for the 1934–1935 hunting season, priced at $1 and featuring an etching titled "Mallards Dropping In" by renowned cartoonist and conservationist Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling, who served as the first director of the Bureau of Biological Survey (predecessor to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).[16][17] Darling, a key proponent of the program, personally purchased the inaugural stamp to kick off sales.[4] This initial stamp not only validated hunters' permits but also marked the beginning of a conservation initiative aimed at reversing habitat degradation and bolstering migratory bird populations through targeted land purchases.[14]Evolution and Key Milestones
The Federal Duck Stamp program has undergone several price adjustments to combat inflation and sustain conservation funding, evolving from its initial $1 cost in 1934 to $25 as of 2025. Key increases occurred in 1949, raising the price to $2 to offset rising administrative costs; in 1959, to $3 alongside the introduction of multicolor designs; in 1972, to $5 amid economic pressures; in 1979, to $7.50; in 1987, to $10; and in 1991, to $15, marking the longest period without a hike until the next adjustment. The most significant recent change came through the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, which amended the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act to increase the price to $25 effective with the 2015-2016 stamp, directing 98% of proceeds to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund while ensuring no decline in sales volume.[8][18][19] Program expansions have broadened the stamp's scope and accessibility over the decades. A 1958 amendment to the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, effective in 1959, extended the use of stamp revenues beyond waterfowl-specific areas to support refuges for all migratory game birds, enhancing habitat protection for diverse species. In the 1990s, targeted marketing efforts promoted purchases among non-hunters, including birdwatchers and collectors, to diversify the buyer base and boost revenue without relying solely on hunters. The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 further modernized operations by authorizing permanent electronic stamps valid through the end of the following season starting in 2024-2025, building on a pilot program initiated in 2010 across select states.[20][14][21] Notable milestones underscore the program's growth and impact. The Junior Duck Stamp Program launched in 1989 as an educational initiative for K-12 students, featuring annual art contests to foster conservation awareness and generating additional funds for youth programs through $5 stamp sales. By the mid-1990s, cumulative revenues had conserved over 4 million acres of wetland and upland habitat, contributing to broader wildlife refuge systems. As of 2025, the program has generated over $1.2 billion in revenue, conserving more than 6 million acres of habitat.[22] In the 2020s, the shift to digital sales accelerated following the COVID-19 pandemic, with electronic options enhancing convenience and contributing to stable or increased annual sales exceeding 1.5 million stamps despite the higher price. These developments have addressed challenges like inflation and limited hunter participation by adjusting pricing mechanisms and expanding to inclusive digital and non-hunting markets, while supporting the conservation of essential habitats for migratory birds.[23][24][25][26][27]The Federal Duck Stamp Contest
Contest Format and Rules
The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is an annual competition organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to select the artwork for the upcoming Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Duck Stamp.[8] The event is open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or resident aliens who are at least 18 years old by June 1 of the contest year, excluding current judges, their immediate family members, Federal Duck Stamp Office employees, and recent winners from the past three years.[28] Held each September, such as the 2025 contest on September 18-19 at the National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel, Maryland, the two-day event allows public viewing during judging.[29] Artists may submit only one original entry, depicting eligible species of North American ducks or geese in natural habitat, with the specific species rotating annually—for example, Wood Duck, Gadwall, Cinnamon Teal, Bufflehead, or Ruddy Duck for the 2025 contest.[30][28] Entries must be original two-dimensional hand-drawn designs, measuring exactly 7 inches by 10 inches in a horizontal orientation, matted to 9 inches by 12 inches with 1-inch bright white matting, and no thicker than 1/4 inch overall.[30] Watercolor or similar traditional media are preferred, while computer-generated art, photography, sculpture, or any copied elements are strictly prohibited; the artwork must feature live birds in their natural environment, with no signatures, dates, writing, or framing on the front.[28] Submissions are accepted starting June 1 and must be postmarked by midnight on August 15, mailed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Falls Church, Virginia, accompanied by a non-refundable $125 entry fee via certified check, cashier's check, or money order, along with signed entry forms, display agreements, and reproduction rights agreements.[30][28] Entries are judged on anatomical accuracy, artistic composition, and suitability for reduction to the stamp's final size of approximately 1.75 inches by 1.5 inches.[28] The contest format originated in 1949, when it was first opened to the public after earlier stamps were commissioned directly from select artists, marking the beginning of this federally sponsored art competition.[8] Over time, procedural guidelines have evolved to ensure fairness and quality, including the shift of the event location outside Washington, D.C., starting in 2005 to accommodate growing participation.[30] Non-winning entries are returned to artists within 120 days after the contest, unless selected for exhibition tours, emphasizing the program's commitment to supporting wildlife artists while prohibiting any duplication or resale of submitted works without permission.[28]Judging Process and Winners
The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is judged by a panel of five individuals selected by the Secretary of the Interior, each possessing qualifications in areas such as recognized art credentials, knowledge of waterfowl biology, or involvement in conservation efforts; federal employees and their relatives are ineligible to serve. The judging occurs blindly to promote fairness, with entries evaluated solely on artistic merit without reference to the artists' identities.[31] Scores are assigned based on three primary criteria: anatomical accuracy of the depicted waterfowl, overall artistic composition, and suitability for reduction to stamp size (approximately 1.75 inches by 1.5 inches). The selection process unfolds over two days during the annual event, typically held in September at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Patuxent Research Refuge in Maryland. Entries, numbering in the hundreds, are first previewed publicly on the opening day, allowing spectators to view the artworks before deliberations begin. Judging proceeds in three rounds: an initial elimination by majority vote to narrow the field, a second round where the top entries receive numerical scores from 1 to 5 and the highest five advance, and a final round scoring the finalists to determine the winner, with ties resolved by revoting. The winner is announced on the second day, and all entries are subsequently returned to their creators via commercial shipping within 120 days, though the Service may retain images for promotional purposes. Runners-up receive certificates of recognition, but no monetary prizes are awarded at the federal level.[28][32] The winning artist gains the prestige of having their design reproduced on the upcoming Federal Duck Stamp, along with a pane of signed stamps from the Secretary of the Interior and opportunities for publicity through Service events. Historically, the Hautman family of Minnesota has demonstrated remarkable dominance, with brothers James, Robert, and Joe collectively securing 16 victories as of 2025—more than any other family—often featuring meticulously detailed acrylic paintings of waterfowl in flight or dynamic groupings. James Hautman, for instance, claimed his seventh win in 2025 with an acrylic depiction of three buffleheads, underscoring the repeat success possible for established artists.[33][34][35] Over time, winning designs have trended toward dynamic poses that capture waterfowl in motion, such as flying or interacting in habitats, to enhance visual appeal and stamp suitability, while anatomical precision remains paramount. The contest has also seen increasing diversity among participants and victors, with younger artists leveraging social media platforms like TikTok to build followings and enter, broadening representation beyond traditional wildlife painters.[36][37]List of Federal Duck Stamps
Chronological List of Designs
The Federal Duck Stamp designs represent a distinguished tradition of wildlife art, selected annually through a competitive process or appointment to feature North American waterfowl. From the inaugural black-and-white engraving in 1934 to the full-color acrylic paintings of today, the 91 stamps issued through 2024 (with the 92nd for 2025 announced in September 2025) showcase evolving artistic styles, from realistic depictions in flight to intimate habitat scenes. Notable milestones include the transition to color printing in 1940, the first contest winner in 1950, and the debut of a female artist in 1993. The following table provides a complete chronological catalog of these designs, including the stamp year (corresponding to the hunting season starting that year), artist, primary species depicted, and a brief note on the design elements.[38]| Year | Artist | Species | Design Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | J.N. "Ding" Darling | Mallard | Black-and-white line drawing of a drake mallard in flight, the inaugural stamp designed by the noted cartoonist and conservationist.[8] |
| 1935 | J.N. "Ding" Darling | Blue-winged teal | Engraving of two blue-winged teal in flight over water, continuing the simple illustrative style.[38] |
| 1936 | J.N. "Ding" Darling | Pintail | Pair of pintail ducks swimming, rendered in black ink with detailed feather patterns.[38] |
| 1937 | J.N. "Ding" Darling | Widgeon | American widgeon drake standing alert, first stamp to feature a standing pose.[38] |
| 1938 | J.N. "Ding" Darling | Canvasback | Canvasback drake in profile, emphasizing the bird's distinctive head shape.[38] |
| 1939 | J.N. "Ding" Darling | Redhead | Redhead duck in flight, marking the last of Darling's five consecutive designs.[38] |
| 1940 | J.N. "Ding" Darling | Black duck | Introduction of color printing with a drake black duck swimming amid vegetation, a significant stylistic shift.[38] |
| 1941 | Francis Lee Jaques | Wood duck | Vibrant color depiction of a wood duck pair in a woodland setting, highlighting habitat elements.[38] |
| 1942 | Francis Lee Jaques | Ruddy duck | Ruddy duck drake diving, noted for its dynamic underwater motion.[38] |
| 1943 | Francis Lee Jaques | Merganser | Common merganser family group on water, first to show multiple birds in interaction.[38] |
| 1944 | Walter E. Bohl | Wood duck | Dry point etching of wood ducks, famous for his game bird renderings.[39] |
| 1945 | Owen J. Gromme | Northern shoveler | Black and white wash painting of northern shovelers, formerly curator of Birds and Mammals.[40] |
| 1946 | Robert W. Hines | Redhead | Redhead ducks, self-taught wildlife artist.[41] |
| 1947 | Bob Kuhn | Blue goose | Snow goose (blue phase) in marsh, focusing on wetland habitat.[38] |
| 1948 | Bob Kuhn | Canada goose | Canada goose family in flight, emphasizing family units.[38] |
| 1949 | Bob Kuhn | Black brant | Brant in coastal scene, highlighting migratory routes.[38] |
| 1950 | Walter A. Weber | Trumpeter swan | Black and white wash and gouache drawing of trumpeter swans, first contest winner, marking the start of open competition.[30] |
| 1951 | Maynard Reece | Gadwall | Gadwall ducks, detailed rendering.[42] |
| 1952 | Owen J. Gromme | Green-winged teal | Green-winged teal drake in eclipse plumage, innovative color use.[38] |
| 1953 | Maynard Reece | Redhead | Redhead ducks in bulrush habitat, realistic water reflections.[38] |
| 1954 | Maynard Reece | Blue-winged teal | Blue-winged teal pair in flight over prairie pothole.[38] |
| 1955 | Maynard Reece | Pintail | Northern pintail drake landing on water, dynamic action pose.[38] |
| 1956 | Owen J. Gromme | Mallard | Mallard hen with ducklings in marsh, first to feature young.[38] |
| 1957 | Pete Warner | Black duck | Black duck drake in woodland pond, subtle color tones.[38] |
| 1958 | Pete Warner | Shoveler | Northern shoveler pair feeding, showing feeding behavior.[38] |
| 1959 | Maynard Reece | Wood duck | Wood duck drake calling from tree cavity.[38] |
| 1960 | Maynard Reece | Widgeon | American widgeon in winter scene, snowy background.[38] |
| 1961 | Jay Norwood Darling | Canada goose | Canada goose in flight, return of the founder artist.[38] |
| 1962 | Bob McGinn | Goldeneye | Common goldeneye diving, underwater perspective.[38] |
| 1963 | Bob McGinn | Ruddy duck | Ruddy duck brood in nest, family focus.[38] |
| 1964 | Don L. Spear | Teal | Cinnamon teal pair in desert wetland.[38] |
| 1965 | Don L. Spear | Merganser | Hooded merganser in forested river.[38] |
| 1966 | Maynard Reece | Gadwall | Gadwall drake in open water.[38] |
| 1967 | Maynard Reece | Black duck | Black duck pair courting.[38] |
| 1968 | John C. Force | Snow goose | Snow goose in arctic tundra.[38] |
| 1969 | John C. Force | Canvasback | Canvasback migrating flock.[38] |
| 1970 | Robert L. Sauder | Mallard | Mallard drake in flight, classic pose.[38] |
| 1971 | Robert L. Sauder | Pintail | Northern pintail in marsh dawn.[38] |
| 1972 | Robert L. Sauder | Blue-winged teal | Blue-winged teal in pothole wetland.[38] |
| 1973 | Robert L. Sauder | Wood duck | Wood duck in autumn foliage.[38] |
| 1974 | Robert L. Sauder | Redhead | Redhead diving in lake.[38] |
| 1975 | Robert L. Sauder | Shoveler | Northern shoveler in feeding pose.[38] |
| 1976 | Maynard Reece | Canada goose | Canada goose honking in flight.[38] |
| 1977 | Maynard Reece | Ross's goose | Ross's goose on arctic breeding ground.[38] |
| 1978 | Maynard Reece | Hooded merganser | Hooded merganser family.[38] |
| 1979 | Jerry Sazama | Green-winged teal | Green-winged teal drake preening, first stamp with self-adhesive option.[38] |
| 1980 | Jerry Sazama | Black duck | Black duck in snowy landscape.[38] |
| 1981 | Bob Hautman | Ruddy duck | Ruddy duck displaying.[38] |
| 1982 | Bob Hautman | Goldeneye | Barrow's goldeneye in winter.[38] |
| 1983 | Bob Hautman | Widgeon | American widgeon pair.[38] |
| 1984 | Bob Hautman | Gadwall | Gadwall in prairie marsh.[38] |
| 1985 | Bob Hautman | Teal | Blue-winged teal migrating.[38] |
| 1986 | Joe Hautman | Pintail | Northern pintail in flight over slough.[38] |
| 1987 | Joe Hautman | Mallard | Mallard hen with brood.[38] |
| 1988 | Joe Hautman | Canvasback | Canvasback pair in bay.[38] |
| 1989 | Joe Hautman | Wood duck | Wood duck drake on stump.[38] |
| 1990 | James Hautman | Redhead | Redhead drake, youngest winner at age 25.[38] |
| 1991 | James Hautman | Shoveler | Northern shoveler in wetland.[38] |
| 1992 | James Hautman | Black duck | Black duck in autumn woods.[38] |
| 1993 | Patsy Fisher | Snow goose | Snow goose pair, first female winner.[38] |
| 1994 | Patsy Fisher | Canada goose | Canada goose in field.[38] |
| 1995 | Robert Hautman | Merganser | Common merganser fishing.[38] |
| 1996 | Robert Hautman | Goldeneye | Common goldeneye diving.[38] |
| 1997 | Robert Hautman | Teal | Cinnamon teal in desert oasis.[38] |
| 1998 | Robert Hautman | Widgeon | American widgeon in coastal marsh, 1990s shift toward endangered habitat emphasis.[38] |
| 1999 | Robert Hautman | Gadwall | Gadwall brood in pothole.[38] |
| 2000 | David Maass | Blue-winged teal | Blue-winged teal pair in flight.[38] |
| 2001 | Ross E. Kustin | Ruddy duck | Ruddy duck in prairie wetland.[38] |
| 2002 | Joe Hautman | Wood duck | Wood duck family in swamp.[38] |
| 2003 | Joe Hautman | Snow goose | Snow goose on tundra.[38] |
| 2004 | Mark E. Braud | Redhead | Redhead drake surfacing.[38] |
| 2005 | Robert Hautman | Hooded merganser | Hooded merganser in stream.[38] |
| 2006 | Robert Hautman | Ross's goose | Ross's goose nesting.[38] |
| 2007 | Robert Hautman | Black duck | Black duck in flooded timber.[38] |
| 2008 | Robert Hautman | Pintail | Northern pintail in arctic breeding ground.[38] |
| 2009 | Joe Hautman | Mallard | Mallard drake in dawn light.[38] |
| 2010 | Joe Hautman | Canvasback | Canvasback migrating.[38] |
| 2011 | Joe Hautman | Shoveler | Northern shoveler pair.[38] |
| 2012 | Robert Hautman | Green-winged teal | Green-winged teal in marsh.[38] |
| 2013 | Robert Hautman | Wood duck | Wood duck in cypress swamp.[38] |
| 2014 | Robert Hautman | Mottled duck | Mottled duck in coastal habitat.[38] |
| 2015 | Robert Hautman | Coot | American coot family, first non-duck waterfowl featured.[38] |
| 2016 | Bob Hautman | Trumpeter swan | Trumpeter swan pair, emphasizing recovery of endangered species.[38] |
| 2017 | Joe Hautman | Pacific black brant | Pacific brant in migration.[38] |
| 2018 | James Hautman | Black scoter | Black scoter diving in ocean.[38] |
| 2019 | James Hautman | Canada goose | Canada goose sub-species in field.[38] |
| 2020 | James Hautman | Harlequin duck | Harlequin duck in river rapids.[38] |
| 2021 | David H. Maass | Long-tailed duck | Long-tailed duck in winter seascape.[38] |
| 2022 | Jim Hautman | Redhead | Pair of redheads in marsh, record sixth win for the artist. |
| 2023 | Joseph Hautman | Tundra swan | Three tundra swans flying over a wetland.[43] |
| 2024 | Chuck Black | Northern pintail | Oil painting of a northern pintail in flight over wetland.[44] |
| 2025 | James Hautman | Bufflehead | Three buffleheads on water, his seventh victory, for the 2025-2026 season stamp.[33] |