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Duck Stamp Legislation

Gellar

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November 17, 2014
U.S. House Passes Rep. Ron Kind’s Duck Stamp Legislation to Protect American Wetlands

Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, a bipartisan bill authored by Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and John Fleming (R-LA). The bill will increase funding for wetland conservation by adjusting the cost of duck stamps purchased by hunters nationwide.

“Hunters, collectors and outdoor enthusiasts who purchase duck stamps play a vital role in protecting our wetlands here in Wisconsin and across the country” said Rep. Kind. “By updating the program to better meet our conservation needs, we are sharing in this investment so that future generations can continue to enjoy this vital habitat.”

The sale and distribution of federal duck stamps help fund the conservation of waterfowl habitat across the country. But the cost of a duck stamp has not been changed since 1991, while the need to protect wildlife habitat continues to increase. This legislation adjusts the cost of a duck stamp to $25.

Approximately 98 cents out of every dollar raised by ducks stamps are spent on wetland conservation.

Since 1934, more than 120 million federal duck stamps have been sold nationwide. With the sale of these stamps, more than $800 million has been collected and deposited into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. This funding has been used to purchase or lease over 5.3 million acres of vital wetlands and essential waterfowl habitat that have been incorporated within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Federal Duck Stamp Act is supported by numerous conservation organizations including Ducks Unlimited and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

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Karrie Jackelen
Office of Congressman Ron Kind
205 5th Avenue S., Suite 400
La Crosse, WI 54601
608.782.2558
 
I agree, some people will complain about the increase of $10 to the Duck Stamp, however there is no denying that the Federal Duck Stamp program is one of the best conservation programs ever. 98% of the money earned goes to providing habitat and public areas that benefit duck hunters, upland game hunters, big game hunters, fisherman, paddlers, photographers, bird watchers, and outdoor enthusiasts in general.
 
I'm ok with the extra $10...just won't have my growler filled at the next brewery.

The one thing I'd like to see is the non-consumptive users (canoers, bird watchers, etc) start buying stamps since it seems hunters bear a big chunk (majority) of conservation costs.
 
I don't disagree with the reasoning behind raising the stamp but, from a personal perspective, it may end up being the determining factor behind whether or not I decide to buy one in future years. I usually only make it out duck hunting once or twice and if I have to shell out $35.00 to do it I may just grab the pooch and head out for grouse instead. I also wonder if my sister, who is showing interest in learning how to hunt, will be willing to buy the stamps when she isn't even 100% sure if she will enjoy it or not.

Again, I'm not knocking the increase, and after 25 years I'm sure it's long overdue, but there are costs whenever you raise the price of something like that. Maybe not so much to the diehards, but to the casual and beginner waterfowlers.
 
In the big scheme of things the hunting license is generally cheapest part of hunting. Tough for me to gripe about another $10 for a duck stamp when a box of steelshot is $15.

When I gas up the boat and pickup at the same time it is $185 so what is another $10? I am sure at the margins there are some who won't buy the duck stamp but I bet that most will.

That has to be about the most efficient program the government has if 98 Cents of every dollar makes it onto the ground.
 
Gastro Gnome - Eat Better Wherever

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