The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that the First Day of Sale for the 2010-11 Federal Duck Stamp will be June 25 at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store in Hanover Maryland.
The new Duck Stamp features an American wigeon. It is the work of wildlife artist Robert Bealle and was chosen by a panel of judges from 224 entries in the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland. Bealle is also a repeat winner of the Maryland Duck Stamp Contest.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that 1.8 million duck stamps are sold to hunters, collectors and wildlife enthusiasts every year. Of each dollar spent to buy this year's $15 face value stamp, 98 cents will be used for buying or leasing wetland habitat for wildlife.
The Duck Stamp, officially known as the Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp, is a type of revenue stamp. They never see postal use, though they become philatelic items when they are first day canceled on cover. Their true purpose is to appear on hunting licenses. Issued yearly, their purchase is necessary for duck hunting. Popular with collectors they are "back of the book" items, meaning they are listed in the Scott's Specialized Catalog of U.S. Stamps and Covers away from the postage stamp issues and rather with other types of U.S. revenue stamps.
Duck Stamp Art © USPS
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