What’s the Purpose of the Duck Stamp?

February 28, 2019

Question: What are my duck stamp funds used for? (Eli)

Answer: The California Duck Stamp Act (FGC, section 3702) was enacted in 1971, requiring all adult waterfowl hunters to purchase a duck stamp (now simply a validation) prior to hunting waterfowl. Funds can only be used for waterfowl habitat, assessment or research projects, and the Act mandates a portion of the annual revenue go toward breeding habitat projects in Canada that benefit ducks (particularly pintail) that winter in California. In addition, the FGC requires Fish and Game Commission approval on all projects proposed for funding. The Federal Duck Stamp was created in 1934 to address the destruction of wetlands by mandating that 98 percent of every duck stamp dollar go directly into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund to purchase or lease wetlands for inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge system.

The real purpose is to acquire money for management because its tough to get the money from birders.