Senate Bill to Raise the Price of Duck Stamp

[FWS]

Senate Bill to Raise the Price of Duck Stamp

by Kyle Wintersteen
Wildfowl Magazine
February 14th, 2014



In 1991, the average price for a gallon of gas was $1.23; a gallon of milk was just $2.36; and a loaf of bread a mere $1.25.

But while inflation has doubled and even tripled the prices of such commodities, we plop down the same amount for a duck stamp in 2014 as we did 23 years ago: $15.

Therefore, as waterfowl hunter-conservationists, it’s time to ask ourselves an important question: If we truly believe in the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps program—and I believe most do—isn’t it time to pay a little more?

The latest push to do just that comes in the form of U.S. Senate Bill 1865, which would raise the price of stamps to $25. On Feb. 6 the bill was marked up by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, making it eligible for a vote. Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl and Pheasants Forever all support its passage.

“We appreciate the introduction of a federal duck stamp increase bill by Senators Begich, Baucus, Coons and Tester to meet very real on-the-ground wetland habitat conservation needs,” said Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited, who has vocally supported a price increase for several years. “We are committed to seeing this legislation signed into law.”

The argument in favor is essentially two-fold: First, funds generated by stamp sales are vital to wetlands conservation. Since the program’s enactment in 1934—thanks largely to the efforts of sportsmen concerned by dwindling waterfowl populations—stamp sales have conserved 6 million acres through direct purchases and leases.

Of these, 2.5 million acres are in the critical Prairie Pothole Region (PPR), including 7,000 public-hunting access “waterfowl production areas.” PPR grassland is unquestionably some of North America’s most important waterfowl nesting habitat—a crucial, stabilizing element of healthy overall populations.

Second, while the price per stamp has not increased, land values have skyrocketed since 1991. In Minnesota, for instance, the average price for an acre of land in 1998 was $400—today it’s $1,400, a 250-percent jump. Though 98 cents of every dollar spent on stamps goes to conservation, a dollar simply doesn’t have the buying power it did more than twenty years ago.

Given these numbers, the stamp has lost about 40 percent of its buying power since 1991. Though the cost per stamp has increased seven times since 1934, this is the longest stretch ever at the same rate—many hunters in their 30s have never known another price. It’s no exaggeration then that one of history’s most successful hunter-funded conservation programs has never been weaker.

“The cost of conservation in 2014 frankly isn’t even in the same hemisphere as 1991,” said John Devney, vice president of U.S. policy for Delta Waterfowl. “If the price per stamp is not moderately increased, we risk retarding the progress of arguably the greatest conservation legacy in North America.

“The [duck stamp] program has conserved 30 percent of the vulnerable wetlands in the United States Prairie Pothole Region—it’s the reason why the Dakotas continue to produce more and more ducks and prairie Canada continues to struggle. Canada doesn’t have the pool of resources and dedicated efforts to producing ducks that the United States has achieved.”

During the past five years, several U.S. Congressional bills have sought to increase the cost per stamp. All have failed. Given the weight of the sportsmen vote, could it be that our own apathy or even outright divisions in our ranks are to blame?

Certainly there are hunters who decry the rising costs of our sport, arguing that an extra $10 is too great a burden—an attitude that’s especially interesting when espoused by men clutching high-end auto-loaders.

But I understand the sentiment. As an advocate for the future of ducks as well as duck hunting, I am suspicious of barriers to participation. I don’t believe a $25 duck stamp is one of them.

“I spend my whole life ensuring the average guy has access to duck hunting,” Devney said. “If we’re down to the ten-dollar margin on that, we have some real problems.”

[trappnman]

I disagree, I disagree, I disagree- duck hunting is slowly but surely, phasing itself out of existence due to both the increased unneeded regulations, and the increasing high cost to hunt.

as in any sport, the backbone isn't those few that hunt 8 days a week from season opener to seasons end, but all those that go out opening weekend, or a day here and there.

this raising the fees is like raising the ciggie tax- the logic is we sold X amounts of units this year, so if we raise the price we can add on all that extra revenue- but of course the variable is the loss in numbers WITH the increased taxes.

We spent how many millions if not billions looking for that damn plane- it went down, everyones dead, sad story but the money wasted???

we could fund wetlands for the next 2-3 decades with a fraction of that wasted $$$.

reminds me of that old national lampoon cover where a gun is held to the head of a dog- and the caption read "buy this magazine or we shoot this dog"

[mmwb (Andrew Parker)]

What Steve said!

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I hunt ducks about once each year just to take my grandson. Since I could care less about shooting them myself, I'll probably buy him a stamp and watch him hunt. So instead of them getting $30 they will get $25.

That is what this article fails to address, $25 isn't that much for one guy but if you have a couple of kids? It ain't $25 anymore.

[Jarhead620]

I'm surprised and disappointed. You guys really believe a ten buck increase in the annual cost of a duck stamp would significantly decrease participation in the sport? That's just amazing! What this indicates to me is that you must have zero interest in waterfowl hunting and little concern for the viability of the Continental waterfowl resource.

Jarhead

[FWS]

The Federal duck stamp is about the cheapest thing in waterfowling, going from $15 to $25 ain't gonna break anyone. Not in the era of $45,000 trucks, $3.50+ gas, $3.75 cups of coffee, $1500 shotguns, $22 a box shotshells......................

BTW, the increase from $15 to $25 was first proposed by the Bush Administration in 2009.

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I don't really care that much about ducks. I spend quite a bit every year in going to big game banquets and on trapping stuff.

Besides that I would prefer to hunt coyotes, we have quite a few more of them than we do ducks.

FWS and I both made the point that it's not just the stamp. It's the cumulative expenditure. Gas, shells, license, etc. etc. then times that by 2 or 3 for your kids or grandkids and at some point it is too much.

I like to golf as well and will go a couple of times at the $20 course, however it isn't worth anymore than that to me.

[FWS]

Besides that I would prefer to hunt coyotes, we have quite a few more of them than we do ducks.

Maybe not in real numbers given the waterfowl that does pass through, but there is a lot more access and opportunity for coyotes in NV.

Personally I'd rather hunt ducks, geese, upland birds, bunnies, etc. than coyotes.

[FWS]

Thing is that it isn't exactly cheap to hunt coyotes in the West when you factor in fuel.

[trappincoyotes39]

Depends on your mode of travel FWS. I can hunt on ranches of 7,000 acres or more public areas by 4 wheeler much cheaper than a truck. I used my 4 wheeler alot come spring until bitter cold set in. Hunting coyotes far easier for private permission than most other species one would want to hunt. As Joel stated far more exciting and fun to many than popping ducks from a blind etc. Each to his own.........

[FWS]

Depends on your mode of travel FWS.

If it's by foot or mountain bike you can go cheap. Not so with a motor vehicle, even with a quad the MPG isn't much better than a small pickup with a 4 cyl., and the quad is an extra $7000 or so nowadays. Hard to find one with a smaller CC, more fuel efficient engine now too.

As Joel stated far more exciting and fun to many than popping ducks from a blind etc.

Perhaps for you, but I find the birds to be much more fun.

And far better eating.

[trappincoyotes39]

If your figuring in cost predator hunting far cheaper all the way around. Figure a good used 4 wheeler versus the cost of a good used 4 wheel drive pickup no comparison.

One doesn't need much to go predator calling. License fairly cheap In many areas and some states no license required at all for coyotes. Many states have a 365 day season and zero bag limits on coyotes and no need to worry about cleaning and cooking a coyote

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

I've always enjoyed coyotes as fine table fare. Ducks are almost as good.

[trappnman]

yes, out in the real world, the constant increases in costs DO make a difference.

Why? because as I said before, most duck hunters, or any other hunters- are a couple days a year at best-

30% of retirement age Americans, have less than $1000 in the bank-

tell them an extra $10 doesn't make a difference......................and gas at $4 a gal, and shells at $25 a box-

[TRay]

I have read in the past that almost as many duck stamps are bought by collectors as by hunters. Much of the money is going into grassland easements, which are critical for all wildlife.

[trappnman]

you don't even get a stamp any more at the local lic places, unless you request to have one sent to you.