In addition to being the only conservation revenue stamp, the Federal Duck Stamp is also unique in the way the stamp is created. Each year, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service holds an art contest, the only juried art competition sponsored by the federal government. Any artist 18 years or older may enter, and the winning artist sees his or her work featured as the design on the following year's Federal Duck Stamp.
Where Can I Buy A Federal Duck Stamp
Many states issue their own duck stamps. In some states, the stamps are purely a collector's item, but in others, the stamps have a similar role in hunting and conservation as Federal Duck Stamps. Some states hold contests to choose the art for their stamps.
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 allows you to purchase a stamp online and immediately use the certification to legally hunt for 45-days while your physical stamp is mailed to you.
Stamp and wildlife art collectors add to their valuable collections and support conservation at the same time. As the longest running, single-themed stamp in the world, Federal Duck Stamps are first and foremost miniature works of art. The design itself is chosen each year in the only open juried art competition sponsored by the federal government. Artists can also become contributors to conservation through this unique opportunity.
If you do not need an E-Stamp and can wait 10-20 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 the physical stamp in hand to be legal for hunting; a sales receipt from Amplex or the Postal Store is not legal to hunt with
Purchase from one of the above state websites if you need a federal duck stamp temporary certificate immediately. It is good for migratory bird hunting for up to 45 days (physical stamp, good through June 30, it should be mailed within 20 days)
Along with appropriate state stamps and licenses, the annual purchase of a federal duck stamp (valid from July 1 through June 30) is required for waterfowl hunters 16 and older and is valid in any state. Waterfowl hunters 15 years or older must also purchase a Massachusetts waterfowl stamp (valid from January 1 through December 31.) Stamps are required for hunting any ducks (including sea ducks), geese, or brant, but not required for hunting rails, snipe, woodcock, or American coot.
When you purchase a Federal Duck Stamp, an "e-Duck stamp" will be added to your hunting or sporting license and can be used immediately once you have reprinted your license. This e-Duck stamp provides all the privileges of a federal duck stamp on a temporary basis and will expire 45 days from the date of purchase. Before your e-Duck expires, a physical stamp will be sent to you via U.S. mail. As soon as you receive the Federal Duck Stamp, you must sign it and carry it with you while hunting.
You may also purchase federal duck stamps as a way to directly support wildlife and habitat conservation. A current duck stamp grants the bearer free entrance into any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee.
Anyone hunting migratory gamebirds (ducks, mergansers, coots, geese, doves, woodcock, sora, snipe) must have an Indiana hunting license and a HIP registration number. An Indiana waterfowl stamp privilege, purchased through a local retailer (see page 1), is also required for hunting ducks and geese. A game bird habitat stamp also is required to hunt mourning doves.
Commemorative (traditional) waterfowl stamps do not convey hunting privileges. Additionally, anyone 16 years old or older must have a signed Federal duck stamp when hunting ducks and geese. Landowners or lessees, hunting on farmed land they own or lease, need to get a a Federal duck stamp when hunting waterfowl, and a free HIP registration number (call 1-866-671-4499 for a HIP number). Order federal duck stamps by calling 1-800-782-6724 or by visiting the federal duck stamps website and following the directions to the proper links.
The 2022 Alaska state duck stamp features a photograph by Tasha DiMarzio of a family of Minima Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii minima). Tasha is an Alaska-based nature and bird enthusiast. She is also a waterfowl biologist that is happiest when she's in her waders on the artic tundra studying geese. Tasha watched this pair of Cackling Geese rear their brood on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge while working for the Alaska SeaLife Center. The family group would often rest near her tent in field camp for "safety" from predators. Named for their high-pitched cackling call; Cackling Geese have a complex taxonomy including four subspecies: Richardson's, Taverner's, Minima, and Aleutian. Minima Cackling Geese are the smallest and darkest; often looking like they have a purple hue to their chest plumage, usually with no white neck-ring. Overall size and shape are the best species identification clues; they have a more rounded head than the other subspecies with a short-neck and stubby-bill. Minima are only slightly larger than a Mallard and  of the size of the Giant Canada Goose sub-species. They often form mixed flocks with other species of geese, grazing in fields or gathering in wetlands. They breed throughout coastal areas of Alaska with the majority nesting on the Yukon Delta National Wildlife refuge. They often congregate into large flocks during fall migration, wintering in Washington, Oregon, and California. Both sexes of Minima look similar with males being slightly larger.
By purchasing a Duck Stamp, you will be showing your support of bird conservation in our National Wildlife Refuge System, 98 cents of every duck stamp dollar goes directly into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to purchasing of vital bird habitat benefitting ducks, geese, and other migratory birds.
A Federal Duck Stamp is not required if you are a qualified permanent rural Alaska resident or an eligible person living in an included area. Seasons when you may hunt without a federal duck stamp vary depending on how you qualify for this exemption. However, you must purchase a hunting license and state duck stamp unless you qualify for license and duck stamp exemptions listed above. For questions or clarifications, please contact the USFWS Office of Law Enforcement at (907) 786-3311.
This stamp (the federal duck stamp) is required for all waterfowl hunters, including those who are not required to purchase a hunting license. Hunters under the age of 16 are exempt. The federal duck stamp must be signed in ink to be valid. If you order your stamp online, , you will receive a purchase code. If you purchase your stamp from a sport license agent, Department of Natural Resources online licensing, or a Department of Natural Resources Licensing and Registration Center, you will receive a printed receipt. Both the purchase code and the printed receipt will be accepted as evidence of the purchase for 45 days and must be possessed while hunting waterfowl and coots. The paper stamp will be mailed to the purchaser. The proof of purchase will expire after 45 days after which purchaser must then possess the stamp, signed in ink, while hunting waterfowl and coots. The federal duck stamp does not have to be attached to the hunting license.
Missing Federal Duck Stamp: If you do not receive your federal duck stamp within 2-3 weeks after purchase via Department of Natural Resources online or by phone, please email duckstamp@amplex.com or call 1-800-852-4897.
Maryland residents serving in the United States Armed Forces and stationed in Maryland must purchase a Resident Hunting License before hunting, unless they are on official leave and possess a copy of their official leave orders. Maryland residents serving in the United States Armed Forces, while hunting during official leave in Maryland, do not need to purchase a hunting license, deer stamps, or Department of Natural Resources Managed Hunt Permit; however, they must purchase a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, and a Furbearer Permit. You must possess a copy of your official leave orders while hunting and comply with the Hunter Education and Safety Requirement.
As soon as you receive your physical stamp, you must sign it and use it for hunting. Your E-Stamp certification is no longer valid once you receive your physical stamp. Regardless of whether you received your physical stamp, after 45 days from the date of purchase, the E-Stamp certificate is no longer valid. You must carry your current, signed Federal Duck Stamp while hunting. For more information on the Federal Duck Stamp, please visit -involved/duck-stamp.php
*Note: Possession of the State of Tennessee Waterfowl stamp is voluntary and NOT required to hunt. However, the FEDERAL DUCK stamp IS required to hunt waterfowl in the State of Tennessee. The Federal Duck Stamp is available through the USPS and any other federally authorized dealer.
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