WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., introduced legislation Tuesday to make the e-duck stamp program permanent.
Four years ago, eight states, including Arkansas, began selling duck stamps through the Internet on a trial basis.
Internet sales account for about 27 percent of all duck stamp sales, increasing from 58,000 in 2007 to 350,000 in 2010, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“The convenience of the e-duck stamp pilot program has proven to be highly popular in Arkansas, the duck hunting capital of the world. It’s a no-brainer to open up this opportunity to sportsmen in all states and to make it permanent,” Pryor, said.
Pryor introduced the legislation with U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., to expand the pilot program to every state and make it a permanent fixture in the law. Since 1934, migratory waterfowl hunters over the age of 16 have been required to buy the federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamps, or duck stamps, at post offices or sporting goods stores. The stamps also give birders and other non-hunters free access to the nation’s 553 wildlife refuges.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The program generates about $25 million each year, which is deposited into the Migratory Bird Conservation fund to preserve habitats and ensure future hunting opportunities.
Those who purchase an electronic duck stamp are given a code that is valid for 45 days so that they don’t have to wait until the paper stamp arrives to go hunting.
“It’s a good convenient way to get duck stamps,” Pryor said. The House last month approved similar legislation, 373-1. Only U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., voted against it.