Federal Duck Stamps Started as a Conservation Effort

In the early 1930s the continental waterfowl population was declining. In one of the most successful conservation programs ever devised, conservationists, artists, hunters and the federal government joined together to protect migratory waterfowl, giving birth to the Federal Duck Stamp program. Revenues from the sale of Duck Stamps have been used to purchase millions of acres of natural habitat for America's waterfowl through the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The first Federal Duck Stamp was designed by Pulitzer-Prize-winning political cartoonist Jay Norwood Darling, a stanch conservationist. Chief of the US Biological Survey from 1934-35, Darling served on the committee that examined the waterfowl crisis and was a leading advocate of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. The first Federal Duck Stamp was issued in 1934 and featured Darling's etching Mallards Dropping In. Since 1934, all waterfowl hunters have been required to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and affix it to their state hunting license.

Each year, hundreds of artists from all over the country enter the contest to design the Duck Stamp. Over the years stamp issues have featured the work of America's most renowned wildlife artists. The 1935 stamp was created by artist Frank Benson. County Stamp Center offers a number of Federal Duck Stamps. For details and to order, visit our website and select US Duck Stamps from the drop-down category box. For a limited time, County Stamp Center is offering 15% off all US Duck Stamps. Enter coupon code DUCKS2006 at check out to receive the 15% discount on your US Duck stamp purchase.