President Signs Duck Stamp Price Increase into Law

Over 550 letters from The Wildlife Society members sent to Senators urged them to pass a bill to increase the price of Duck Stamps from $15 to $25. The Senate passed the bill on December 2, and the bill was signed into law by President Barack Obama yesterday marking the culmination of coordinated efforts from lawmakers and conservation organizations.

Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps — better known as Duck Stamps — are permits required to hunt waterfowl in the United States. The money raised by the stamps goes to wetland conservation efforts that in turn lead to more waterfowl and waterfowl habitat. The long-awaited price increase is the first since 1991.

The Federal Ducks Stamp Act of 2014 (H.R. 5069) was introduced in July along with an identical Senate version (S. 2621). After months of relatively little action and extended Congressional recess during the election season, the House passed the bill in late November with the Senate following suit in early December.

The Wildlife Society headquarters and members around the country supported the bill throughout the legislative process with letters, phone calls, and emails. TWS worked together with other conservation organizations on a coalition letter in April supporting a price increase. After the House passed H.R. 5069, TWS members responded to a TWS Action Alert in early December, submitting over 550 letters encouraging their Senators to support the bill.