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2010 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
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Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp)
First day of sale: June 24, 2011
The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, also known as the “Duck Stamp,” was established in 1934 under the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt as a federal waterfowl-hunting license whose proceeds went to buy wetlands for duck conservation on national wildlife refuges. Today, the Duck Stamp serves a much larger purpose and is one of the most successful conservation programs in America. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the sale of these stamps goes directly to acquire wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since it started, over $750 million has been raised to protect over 5.3 million acres of wetland and grassland habitat! Beyond serving as a hunting license and enabling further protection of wildlife habitats, the stamp serves as a free pass to any refuge that would otherwise charge admission. Many non-hunters purchase the stamp to support the refuge system and its mission of protecting wildlife habitat.
J.N. “Ding” Darling designed the first Federal Duck Stamp in 1934. Beginning in 1949, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has sponsored a stamp-design contest featuring wildlife artists from across the country, and is the only juried art competition sponsored by the federal government. The winning art is then used on the following year's stamp.
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100% of the Kootenai NWR in northern Idaho was acquired with Duck Stamp dollars.
© Andrea Kramer
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Robert Bealle, of Waldorf, Maryland took the honors for the 2010 Duck Stamp competition for his painting of an American widgeon. He first gained recognition after placing second in the 1983 Federal Duck Stamp Competition and prior to his success in this year’s Duck Stamp Competition he won the Maryland Duck Stamp Competitions in 1994, 2003, and 2008. He is only the second artist from Maryland to ever win the prestigious contest.
The stamp costs only $15 and can be purchased at nearly all Post Offices or at http://www.duckstamp.com (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife distributor). They can also be purchased at most major sporting goods stores that sell hunting and fishing licenses or online. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar goes directly towards purchasing vital habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Click here to see how Duck Stamp dollars have been used to benefit refuges in your state. (http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/Conservation/conservation.htm)
Duck Stamp Links:
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First Federal Duck Stamp (1934) |
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