The $25 2019 United States Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation self-adhesive stamp or the federal duck stamp will be issued on 28th June in two formats- pane of one and pane of 20 at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Mo. The Fish and Wildlife Service division of the U.S. Department of the Interior has issued the stamp. It features a painting by Scot Storm that shows a male wood duck and a carved wooden duck decoy in the background. They are floating in marshy water with reeds. Texts “U.S. Department of the Interior”, “$25” denomination, “Wood Duck & Decoy”, “Void After June 30, 2020”, and “Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp” are also depicted on the stamp.

The $5 junior duck stamp design is created by Nicole Jeon from New York. It features a painting of a male harlequin duck. A $25 Mallards federal duck stamp was issued last year to celebrate the program’s 85th Anniversary. Press sheets for the 2019 stamp are also available for purchase in varying quantities and prices.

A public juried painting competition is being held every year since 1949 to select the stamp design. It was earlier held in Washington, D.C. but is now conducted at different locations. The contest theme for last year was “Celebrating our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage”. Storm’s painting features a wooden decoy which is a hunting element. The artwork for the 2020 federal duck stamp will be selected by organising a similar competition on 27th and 28th September at Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Md.

Federal duck stamps are basically hunting permit stamps and are not used to send postage. Waterfowl hunters whose age is equal to or more than 16 years have to carry a $25 stamp when they hunt. Almost $40 million is raised every year through the sale of these stamps. The money is donated to conserve and protect wetland habitats in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The $5 junior duck stamp raises funds for conservation education, awards and student scholarships.

Visit philamart to view and purchase variety of stamps from all over the world.

Image Courtesy: The Fish and Wildlife Service division of the U.S. Department of the Interior