LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -(Ammoland.com)- Canada geese in flight grace the 2017-2018 Federal Duck Stamp that goes on sale today.
The 84th Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp made its debut at a special event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The 2017-2018 Federal Duck Stamp features three Canada geese in flight painted by Minnesota artist and five-time Federal Duck Stamp Contest winner James Hautman. The Junior Duck Stamp features a pair of trumpeter swans painted by 12-year-old Isaac Schreiber of Duffield, Virginia.
The Federal Duck Stamp plays a critically important role in wildlife conservation. Since 1934 sales from the iconic stamp have raised more than $950 million to acquire and protect nearly six million acres of wetlands habitat on hundreds of national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories.
First petitioned by sportsmen and women who banded together to protect wildlife habitat, the stamps continue to be fueled by waterfowl hunters required to buy a Federal Duck Stamp each year.
“It’s an honor for Bass Pro Shops to host the First Day of Sale ceremony in the Little Rock Outdoor World store,” said Martin Mac Donald, Director of Conservation for Bass Pro Shops. “The Federal Duck Stamp is a national conservation icon, raising millions of dollars for wetland conservation and promoting wildlife art,” he said.
Leaders from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on hand included Jerome Ford, Assistant Director of Migratory Birds; Sara P. Mott, Chief Division of Bird Habitat Conservation, Migratory Bird Program and Cindy Dohner, Regional Director, Southeast Region. Chris Colclasure, Assistant Deputy Director of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Mike Hart, USPS Postal Service, Arkansas District Manager; Little Rock Vice Mayor Kathy Webb and Martin MacDonald, Director of Conservation at Bass Pro Shops, were also on-hand to commemorate the occasion and among the first to buy this year’s stamp. Artists Hautman and Schreiber signed autographs and posed for photos with admiring fans.
2017 marks the 11th year Bass Pro Shops has hosted the first day of sale event. Hunters, conservationists and collectors can purchase the Federal Duck Stamp at all Bass Pro Shops retail locations in the United States.
To purchase or learn more about the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp, visit their website.
About Bass Pro Shops:
Bass Pro Shops is a leading destination retailer offering outdoor gear and apparel in an immersive setting. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today more than 100 retail and marine centers host 120 million people annually. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is known as a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”