National Leaders from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited unveil new Federal Duck Stamp at Bass Pro Shops
Springfield, MO – Trumpeter swans are in the spotlight this year as the 2016-2017 Federal Duck Stamp goes on sale today. The 83rd Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp made its debut at a special event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield, Mo.
The 2016-2017 Federal Duck Stamp features a flight of trumpeter swans painted by Minnesota artist and five-time Federal Duck Stamp Contest winner Joseph Hautman. The Junior Duck Stamp features two Ross’s geese painted by Stacy Shen of Fremont, California.
The Federal Duck Stamp plays a critically important role in wildlife conservation. Since 1934 sales from the iconic stamp have raised more than $800 million to acquire and protect more than six million acres of wetlands habitat on hundreds of national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. First petitioned by sportsmen and women who banded together to protect wildlife habitat, the stamps continue to be fueled by waterfowl hunters required to buy a Federal Duck Stamp each year.
Leaders from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on hand included Jerome Ford, Assistant Director of Migratory Birds; Michael Johnson, Deputy Assistant Director of Migratory Birds, and Charles Wooley, Midwest Deputy Regional Director. Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited and Martin MacDonald, Director of Conservation at Bass Pro Shops, were also on-hand to commemorate the occasion and among the first to buy this year’s stamp. Artists Hautman and Shen signed autographs and posed for photos with admiring fans.
2016 marks the 10th year Bass Pro Shops has hosted the first day of sale event. Hunters, conservationists and collectors can purchase the Federal Duck Stamp at all Bass Pro Shops retail locations in the United States.
To purchase or learn more about the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp, visit www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php.
