Federal Duck Stamp (2026–2027)
The 2026–2027 Federal Duck Stamp costs $25, is required for migratory waterfowl hunters ages 16 and older, and is valid July 1 through the following June 30.
Key facts (2026–2027): $25 · Ages 16 and older · July 1 through the following June 30 · USPS / E-Stamp / Refuges
How much is a federal duck stamp?
The base price of the 2026–2027 Federal Duck Stamp is $25. State license systems that sell the E-Stamp can charge more, because they add their own fees: Colorado lists it at $33 and Minnesota at $30. 98% of the purchase price goes directly to help acquire and protect wetland habitat.
Do I need a duck stamp?
- Hunters: Required for migratory waterfowl hunters ages 16 and older. You must also have appropriate state hunting licenses and any required state conservation stamps for each state in which you hunt.
- Signing rule: You must sign your physical stamp upon receipt to be valid for hunting or free refuge access.
- Non-hunters & refuge visitors: Anyone can buy a Federal Duck Stamp to support wetland conservation, and it free pass into any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee (when signed).
Where to buy a federal duck stamp
- U.S. Postal Service (USPS): Most U.S. Post Offices and online through the U.S. Postal Store.
- National Wildlife Refuges: Select national wildlife refuges.
- State wildlife agencies (E-Stamp): 30 participating state agencies online (non-residents may buy from any participating state).
- Sporting-goods & outdoor retailers: Participating sporting goods and outdoor retailers.
- Official online seller (Amplex / DuckStamp.com): Authorized online seller linked from FWS (1-800-852-4897).
Buying a federal duck stamp online (E-Stamp)
State duck & waterfowl stamps by state
| State | State stamp / permit | Resident | Non-resident | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | State Duck Stamp | $12.70 | — | Official ↗ |
| Alaska | Resident Annual State Waterfowl Stamp Nonresident Annual State Waterfowl Stamp | $10.00 | $10.00 | Official ↗ |
| Arizona | Migratory Bird Stamp | $5.00 | $5.00 | Official ↗ |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp – Resident (DSR) Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp – Nonresident (DSN) | $7.00 | $50.00 | Official ↗ |
| California | California Duck Validation | $41.04 | $41.04 | Official ↗ |
| Colorado | Colorado Waterfowl Stamp | $12.76 | $12.76 | Official ↗ |
| Connecticut | Connecticut migratory bird conservation stamp (resident) Connecticut migratory bird conservation stamp (non-resident, 12+) | $17.00 | $17.00 | Official ↗ |
| Delaware | Waterfowl stamp | $15.00 | $15.00 | Official ↗ |
| Florida | Migratory Bird Permit Florida Waterfowl Permit | Free ($0.00) / 5.00 (annual); 25.00 (five-year, residents only) | Free ($0.00) / 5.00 (annual); 25.00 (five-year, residents only) | Official ↗ |
| Georgia | GA Waterfowl Migratory Bird License | Not shown | Not shown | Official ↗ |
| Hawaii | No waterfowl hunting season is listed by DLNR; no state waterfowl stamp. | — | — | Official ↗ |
| Idaho | Migratory Bird permit | $2.75 | — | Official ↗ |
| Illinois | Electronic State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp | $15.50 | $15.50 | Official ↗ |
| Indiana | Waterfowl Stamp Privilege | $11.00 | $11.00 | Official ↗ |
| Iowa | Resident Migratory Bird Fee Nonresident Migratory Bird Fee | $11.50 | $11.50 | Official ↗ |
| Kansas | Kansas Waterfowl Stamp | $8.00 | $8.00 | Official ↗ |
| Kentucky | Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit | $15.86 | $15.86 | Official ↗ |
| Louisiana | Waterfowl | $12.00 | $50.00 | Official ↗ |
| Maine | State Migratory Waterfowl Permit | $7.50 | $7.50 | Official ↗ |
| Maryland | Migratory Game Bird Licence (Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp) Shoreline or Duck Blind Licence Nonresident 3-Day Waterfowl and Small Game Licence | $15.00 / $20.00 | $15.00 / $20.00 / $65.00 | Official ↗ |
| Massachusetts | Waterfowl Stamp, Resident Waterfowl Stamp, Non-resident | $10.00 | $30.00 | Official ↗ |
| Michigan | State Waterfowl licence | $12.00 | $12.00 | Official ↗ |
| Minnesota | State Waterfowl Stamp Validation | $7.50 | $7.50 | Official ↗ |
| Mississippi | Non-Resident Electronic State Waterfowl Stamp Resident State Waterfowl Stamp | $10.00 | $19.00 | Official ↗ |
| Missouri | Migratory bird permit | $6.50 | — | Official ↗ |
| Montana | Migratory Bird (state) licence (18 and older) Migratory Bird licence | $10.00 | $150.00 | Official ↗ |
| Nebraska | Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (1-year) Lifetime Migratory Waterfowl Stamp | $10.00 / $200.00 | $10.00 / $200.00 | Official ↗ |
| Nevada | 1-Day Combination Permit to Fish and Hunt Upland Game and Waterfowl | — | $23.00 | Official ↗ |
| New Hampshire | Migratory Waterfowl Licence | $11.00 | $11.00 | Official ↗ |
| New Jersey | NJ Waterfowl Stamp | Not shown | Not shown | Official ↗ |
| New Mexico | No separate state waterfowl stamp; federal duck stamp (16+) and HIP number required. | — | — | Official ↗ |
| New York | No separate state waterfowl stamp; hunting license, free HIP registration and federal duck stamp (16+) required. | — | — | Official ↗ |
| North Carolina | State Waterfowl Privilege | Not shown | Not shown | Official ↗ |
| North Dakota | Waterfowl Restoration Stamp Waterfowl, zone-restricted (non-resident) | $5.00 | $5.00 / $153.00 | Official ↗ |
| Ohio | Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp Nonresident Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp | $15.00 | $15.00 | Official ↗ |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Waterfowl stamp Oklahoma Waterfowl stamp (nonresident) | $21.00 | $31.00 | Official ↗ |
| Oregon | Resident Waterfowl Stamp Nonresident Bird-Waterfowl Stamp | $15.00 | $50.00 | Official ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | Resident Migratory Game Bird Licence Nonresident Migratory Game Bird Licence | $3.97 | $6.97 | Official ↗ |
| Rhode Island | State Waterfowl Stamp | $9.00 | $9.00 | Official ↗ |
| South Carolina | Migratory waterfowl permit (state duck stamp) | $15.50 | — | Official ↗ |
| South Dakota | Resident Migratory Bird Certification State Migratory Bird Certificate (nonresident) | $5.00 | Not shown | Official ↗ |
| Tennessee | Supplemental waterfowl 7-day hunt small game and waterfowl (no big game) Annual hunt small game and waterfowl (no big game) | $37.00 | $61.00 / $110.00 | Official ↗ |
| Texas | Texas Migratory Game Bird Endorsement | $7.00 | $7.00 | Official ↗ |
| Utah | No separate state waterfowl stamp; federal duck stamp and free HIP registration required. | — | — | Official ↗ |
| Vermont | Vermont waterfowl stamp | $7.50 | $7.50 | Official ↗ |
| Virginia | Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp | $15.00 | $15.00 | Official ↗ |
| Washington | Migratory Bird Permit | $23.27 | $23.27 | Official ↗ |
| West Virginia | No separate state waterfowl stamp; federal duck stamp (16+) and free HIP card required. | — | — | Official ↗ |
| Wisconsin | State waterfowl stamp | $12.00 | $12.00 | Official ↗ |
| Wyoming | No separate state waterfowl stamp; federal duck stamp (16+) and $0.50 HIP permit required. | — | — | Official ↗ |
Federal duck stamp FAQ
How much is a Federal Duck Stamp?
The 2026–2027 Federal Duck Stamp is $25. According to USFWS, 98% of the purchase price goes directly to help acquire and protect wetland habitat.
Do I need a Federal Duck Stamp to hunt ducks or geese?
Yes, if you hunt migratory waterfowl and are ages 16 and older. You must also have appropriate state hunting licenses and any required state conservation stamps for each state in which you hunt.
Where can I buy a Federal Duck Stamp?
You can buy one at most U.S. Post Offices (or online at the U.S. Postal Store), select National Wildlife Refuges, 30 participating state wildlife agencies (E-Stamp), participating sporting-goods retailers, or the authorized online seller (DuckStamp.com).
How do I buy a Federal Duck Stamp online (E-Stamp)?
You can buy an Electronic Duck Stamp (E-Stamp) online through 30 participating state agencies (open to non-residents too) or DuckStamp.com. Valid immediately upon checkout with Proof of Purchase; physical E-Stamps are mailed between March 10 and June 30 of the following year (30 participating state agencies).
When does the Federal Duck Stamp expire, and do I need to sign it?
Each stamp is valid July 1 through the following June 30. You must sign your physical stamp upon receipt to be valid for hunting or free refuge access.