Waterfowl hunters can buy duck stamp online starting July 17

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service’s Federal Duck Stamp Office, will offer the federal migratory bird hunting stamp – also known as the Duck Stamp – for purchase online at www.mdnr-elicense.com starting Thursday, July 17.

The Federal Duck Stamp, required annually for all migratory waterfowl hunters age 16 or older, will cost $17. It will be available for purchase first via E-license, the DNR’s online system for hunting, fishing and ORV license and snowmobile permit sales, on July 17 and at license-sales retail locations in late August.

“This is a great opportunity to enhance customer service by offering hunters one-stop shopping for licenses and Duck Stamps,” said DNR Licensing and Reservations Manager Denise Gruben. “When invited to participate in the federal E-Stamp program, the DNR accepted heartily.”

“We’re excited to be among the states to provide the option of online Duck Stamp purchasing, making it easier for hunters to participate in this highly successful conservation program,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “Enhanced convenience plus more people helping conserve waterfowl habitat equals a win-win for Michigan hunters.”

The Duck Stamp, originally created in 1934 as a federal license required for hunting migratory birds, has become a vital tool for wetland conservation. For every dollar generated by the sale of federal Duck Stamps, 98 cents goes directly to buy or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Proceeds have been used to purchase or lease about 5.6 million acres of wetland habitat on many of the more than 560 national wildlife refuges.

The eight states that have been issuing Duck Stamps electronically since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service piloted its E-Stamp program have seen total sales increase from 56,000 stamps in 2007 to more than 430,000 in 2013.

Look for more details about purchasing the Federal Duck Stamp through E-License in upcoming press releases. This information is also available online at www.michigan.gov/waterfowl.

To learn more about the Federal Duck Stamp, visit www.fws.gov/duckstamps.