U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service debuts new federal and junior duck stamps

The 2025-2026 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp – commonly known as the Duck Stamp – went on sale recently. The new Federal Duck Stamp and its younger sibling, the Junior Duck Stamp, debuted at a special event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Mack’s Prairie Wings in Stuttgart, Arkansas. 

“It’s exciting to be one of the first people to buy the 2025-2026 Federal and Junior Duck Stamps,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “Over the past century, waterfowl hunters have helped conserve millions of acres of wetland habitat that provide places for a wide diversity of wildlife to thrive, help in flood control and create significant economic stimulus for rural communities.” 

Painted by Adam Grimm of Wallace, South Dakota, the new Federal Duck Stamp will raise millions of dollars for habitat conservation, which benefits wildlife and the American people. The pair of spectacled eiders featured on the new stamp is Grimm’s third Federal Duck Stamp designed for the U.S. Department of the Interior. His artwork was chosen in September 2024 from 239 entries in the country’s only federally regulated art contest.  

The 2025-2026 Junior Duck Stamp, which also went on sale today, raises funds to support youth conservation education. This year’s stamp features a northern shoveler painted by 18-year-old Catheryn Liang from Texas.  

The Federal Duck Stamp plays a critically important role in wildlife conservation. Since 1934, sales of this stamp have raised more than $1.2 billion to conserve over 6 million acres of wetlands habitat on national wildlife refuges around the nation. 

“Hunters are true conservationists, and the Duck Stamp is one of the many ways they contribute to conserving America’s waterfowl and wetlands throughout the country,” said Service Assistant Director, Migratory Bird Program, Jerome Ford. “Your purchase directly helps preserve millions of acres of beautiful American wetlands that are critical for waterfowl and other wildlife. Duck Stamps ensure future generations enjoy healthy bird populations.”  

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A current Federal Duck Stamp is good for free admission to any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee. Of the 573 refuges, most offer unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography.  

Waterfowl are not the only species that benefit from wetland habitat conservation. Thousands upon thousands of shorebirds, herons, raptors and songbirds, as well as mammals, fish, native plants, reptiles and amphibians rely on these landscapes as well.

In addition, migratory bird species such as Birds of Conservation Concern like the reddish egret and long-billed curlew, use wetland and connected upland habitat to feed, breed, migrate, winter and rest.  

The new duck stamps will be sold at sporting goods and retail stores, some post offices and national wildlife refuges, and are available for purchase online. The Service is also offering the 2025-2026 Federal Electronic Duck Stamp (E-Duck Stamp) for purchase through previously enrolled states as well as through Amplex. 

Funds raised from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps go toward the acquisition and lease of habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Duck Stamps – while required for waterfowl hunters as part of their annual license – are also voluntarily purchased by birders, outdoor enthusiasts and fans of national wildlife refuges who understand the value of conserving some of the most diverse and important wildlife habitats in our nation. Stamp and wildlife art collectors also value these miniature pieces of art and American history and contribute to conservation through their purchases of duck stamps. 

The Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is the culmination of a year-long educational program that encourages students to learn about wetlands and waterfowl conservation, explore their natural world and create a painting or drawing of a duck, goose or swan as their “visual term paper” to demonstrate what they learned. Approximately 25,000 students in K-12th grades annually participate in the art contest. 

The winning artwork at the Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is made into a stamp the Service sells for $5 to conservationists, educators, students, collectors and the public. Proceeds support conservation education at the state and local level.

Since the first Junior Duck Stamps went on sale in 1993, well over $1.4 million has been raised, which is re-invested in this unique conservation arts and science education program across the country. 

The 2025 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest to select the 2026-2027 Federal Duck Stamp will be held Sept. 18-19, 2025, at Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Maryland. 

Learn more about the Federal and Junior Duck Stamps.