Electronic Federal Duck Stamp Program

The Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-266), passed in August 2006, required that the Secretary of the Interior conduct a 3-year pilot program under which up to 15 States could be authorized to issue electronic Federal Duck Stamps, or E-stamps. In August 2007, eight States began issuing the E-stamps. More than 59,000 E-stamps were sold the first year of the pilot program. At that time, the E-stamp was valid for 45 days from the date of purchase and could be used immediately while customers wait to receive the actual stamp in the mail. After 45 days, customers were required to carry the actual Federal Duck Stamp while hunting or to gain free access to national wildlife refuges. As expected, the electronic program increased the availability of Federal Duck Stamps, making it easier for the public to obtain the stamps and enhancing public participation. Under our authorities in 16 U.S.C. 718b(a)(2), we have continued the Electronic Duck Stamp Program in the eight States that participated in the pilot, and, in 2012, more than 350,000 stamps were sold. From 2013-2023, we expanded the program by inviting all State fish and wildlife agencies to participate. We received applications and interest from another 30 States. Thirty-two of these States were accepted and 23 new States entered the program in this ten-year period. As of the end of 2016, we had a total of 30 States participating in the program. The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 (Pub. L. 118-25), signed into law on December 19, 2023, removed the 45-day limit on the E-stamp’s validity; the E-stamp is now valid from the date of purchase through June 30. To protect the tradition of the conservation “stamp”, a pictorial stamp will still be sent to each E-stamp customer each year after March 10 (end of the migratory bird hunting season). These will be slightly different in appearance from Federal Duck Stamps purchased through the U.S. Postal Service or consignees.

The latest form for Electronic Federal Duck Stamp Program expires 2028-06-30 and can be found here.

New Electronic Duck Stamp Program Applications (Form 3-2341)

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Natural Resources - Conservation, Marine and Land Management

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