Federal Duck Stamp

President Herbert Hoover signed the Migratory Bird Conservation Act in 1929 to authorize the acquisition and preservation of wetlands as waterfowl habitat.

For every $15 stamp sold, the federal government retained $14.70 for wetlands acquisition and conservation, with just 30 cents to overhead.

However, some also charge a premium to collectors buying single stamps, to help cover overhead costs.

Governor's editions are valid for hunting by all issuing states, but none would be used for that purpose, however, as it would destroy the mint condition and lower the value of the stamp.

The first Federal Duck Stamp, designed by Jay Norwood Darling in 1934 at President Franklin D. Roosevelt's request, depicts two mallards about to land on a marsh pond.

Maynard Reece from Arnolds Park, Iowa, won the competition a record five times, winning in 1948, 1951, 1959, 1969 and 1971.

[4] A panel of noted art, waterfowl, and philatelic authorities is appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to judge each competition.

Winning artists may sell prints of their designs, which are sought after by hunters, conservationists, and art collectors.

The eligible species for the 2024 contest were Brant, Northern Shoveler, Greater Scaup, Spectacled Eider, and Hooded Merganser.

Many foreign countries, including Canada, Australia, Mexico, Russia and the United Kingdom have also issued duck stamps.

The issuing authorities within the various governments that release duck stamps are usually conservation and wildlife departments.

These programs must be created by some form of legislation for the resulting stamps to be accepted as a valid governmental issue.

These items technically are not duck stamps because the fee structure and disposition of funds are not legislated.

Valid organizations and societies of this type perform a major service to conservation by their donations and efforts, and they merit public support.

In September 2021 comedian John Oliver said on Last Week Tonight that he had commissioned and submitted five humorous entries into the contest.