Best Duck Stamps: The Top 35 Federal Waterfowl Stamps

Posted on Apr 26, 2012

Duck stamps are about to go digital. There's currently a bill waiting in the U.S. Senate that would OK online sales of federal duck stamps in all 50 states. Right now, eight states are running a trial program that allows hunters to buy their stamp online. The physical stamp gets mailed to them after 45 days. Since 1934, the year the first duck stamp was issued, the program has raised $800 million dollars that's been used to conserve 5.3 million acres of wetlands – that's an area larger than the state of Connecticut. Duck stamps (which cost $15) raise about $25 million each year. Hopefully, this online program will allow even more hunters and conservationists to buy the stamp. To celebrate the success of the duck stamp, and it's 75th anniversary, our friends at Ducks Unlimited have sent us a collection of the 35 best duck stamp paintings. Pictured: the 2012-2013 stamp by Joseph Hautman

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_01.jpg — 2010-2011, American Wigeon By: Robert Bealle

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_02.jpg — 2009-2010, Long-tailed Duck By: Joshua Spies

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_03.jpg — 2008-2009 (75th Anniversary Stamp), Northern Pintails By: Joseph Hautman

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_04.jpg — 2006-2007, Ross' Goose By: Sherrie Russell Meline

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_05.jpg — 2005-2006, Hooded Mergansers By: Mark Anderson

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_06.jpg — 2004-2005, Redheads By: Scot Storm

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_07.jpg — 2003-2004, Snow Geese By: Ron Louque

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_08.jpg — 2000-2001, Mottled Duck By: Adam Grimm

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_09.jpg — 1999-2000, Greater Scaup By: James Hautman

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_10.jpg — 1995-1996, Mallards By: James Hautman

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_11.jpg — 1994-1995, Red-breasted Mergansers By: Neal R. Anderson

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_12.jpg — 1991-1992, King Eiders By: Nancy Howe

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_13.jpg — 1988-1989, Snow Goose By: Daniel Smith

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_14.jpg — 1986-1987, Fulvous Whistling Duck By: Burton E. Moore

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_15.jpg — 1982-1983, Canvasbacks By: David A. Maass

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_16.jpg — 1981-1982, Ruddy Ducks By: John S. Wilson

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_17.jpg — 1980-1981, Mallards By: Richard Plasschaert

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_18.jpg — 1975-1976, Canvasbacks and Decoy By: James P. Fisher

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_19.jpg — 1974-1975, Wood Ducks By: David A. Maass

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_20.jpg — 1972-1973, Emperor Geese By: Arthur M. Cook

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_21.jpg — 1967-1968, Oldsquaw (Long-tailed) Ducks By: Leslie C. Kouba

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_22.jpg — 1963-1964, Brant By: Edward J. Bierly

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_23.jpg — 1962-1963, Northern Pintails By: Edward A. Morris

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_24.jpg — 1961-1962, Mallards By: Edward A. Morris

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_25.jpg — 1959-1960, Mallard By: Maynard Reece

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_26.jpg — 1955-1956, Blue Geese By: Stanley Stearns

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_27.jpg — 1953-1954, Blue-winged Teal By: Clayton B. Seagears

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_28.jpg — 1950-1951, Trumpeter Swans By: Walter A. Weber

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_29.jpg — 1946-1947, Redheads By: Robert W. Hines

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_30.jpg — 1945-1946, Northern Shovelers By: Owen J. Gromme

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_31.jpg — 1939-1940, Green-winged Teal By: Lynn B. Hunt

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2012photo1001321579duckstamp_32.jpg — 1936-1937, Canada Geese By: Richard E. Bishop

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_33.jpg — 1934-1935, Mallards By: Jay N. "Ding" Darling

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images201204duckstamp_34.jpg — 1935-1936, Canvasbacks By: Frank W. Benson

The duck stamp is going digital. As a bill that would allow the online sale of the federal duck stamp works it’s way through congress, we take a look back at the 35 coolest stamps since 1934.