NEW DUCK STAMP

The new 1991-92 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, more commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp, is now available.

The new stamp, designed by Vermont artist Nancy Howe the first woman ever to win the Duck Stamp contest features a pair of king eiders.

The stamp will sell for $15,00, an increase of $2.50 over last year. Congress authorized the price increase as part of the Emergency Wetlands resources Act of 1986 to provide more funds to acquire and protect disappearing habitats.

The Duck Stamp program started in `934 and has provided more than $350 million to help preserve almost four million habitat acres. Many of the more than 450 national wildlife refuges in the U.S. have been paid for entirely, or in part, by Duck Stamp receipts.

Hunters 16 years of age or older must carry the signed Duck Stamp in order to hunt waterfowl. It is available at most U.S. post offices, some sporting goods outlets and many national wildlife refuges across the country.