WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously advanced legislation led by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Angus King (I-ME) to authorize an electronic stamp for use through the entirety of a waterfowl hunting season.

The bipartisan Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 will allow hunters immediate access to an electronic duck stamp via their smart phone to meet the requirement that they purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and carry it while in the field. 

“This is an important step to improving access to Arkansas’s world-class duck hunting. This legislation incorporates technology in an easy-to-use manner for hunters to comply with license requirements while supporting conservation efforts. I’m proud the Senate has advanced this legislation and I look forward to swift consideration in the House of Representatives so we can get it to the president’s desk to be signed into law,” said Boozman, a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, which invests federal funds generated by the Duck Stamp in wetland preservation.

“As Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and as an avid sportsman myself, I know firsthand how important our hunting and fishing culture is to who we are as West Virginians and Americans,” said Manchin. “I’m proud the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation to authorize a simple, electronic duck stamp that hunters in West Virginia and across the country can use for the entire waterfowl season. I will continue to work with my House colleagues to bring this commonsense bill to the president’s desk and expand access to enjoying duck hunting and the great outdoors.” 

"Growing up, some of my best memories were out hunting with my dad,” Marshall said. “I think about how much the world has changed since those days, and it's a no-brainer to me that we would need to update and modernize our processes to keep up with the 21st century. The important part of this is that the traditions live on, and now, this bipartisan legislation makes it easier than ever to get outdoors and experience America's vast wilderness."

“From Bean Boots to Old Town Canoes, generations of Maine people have pioneered innovations to make getting outdoors easier. Decades later, this same commitment still drives sportsmen and women across our state and is the guiding principle of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus,” said King. “The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 embraces 21st century technology to put required duck hunting stamps just a phone tap away – making the great outdoors more accessible than ever. I’m proud to join my fellow Sportsmen Caucus members in unanimously passing this bill and hope we can continue making recreational activities a simple pursuit for all.”

The legislation was backed by a number of leading conservation and wildlife organizations.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation extends our appreciation to Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Leaders Senators Boozman, Manchin, Marshall, and King for leading and securing the passage of the Duck Stamp Modernization Act in the Senate,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “The unanimous Senate passage of the Duck Stamp Modernization Act represents yet another bipartisan victory that is the result of the commitment of the CSC Leaders who work collaboratively to build consensus around meaningful legislation for sportsmen and women.”

“Duck hunters led the charge in making the Federal Duck Stamp one of the most successful conservation funding programs in history,” said Nick Wiley, Ducks Unlimited Chief Operating Officer. “As we celebrate 80 years and over eight million acres of habitat conserved through this program, it’s only right that we streamline the process and allow the use of electronic stamps throughout the season. This commonsense legislation is good for duck hunters and will help maintain strong support for the Duck Stamp program. We thank our friends in the Senate, and we look forward to a supportive vote in the House soon.”

The Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 builds off a successful pilot program validating E-Stamps for 45 days and extends use for the entire waterfowl season. Arkansas and 27 other states currently participate in the pilot program. 

Duck Stamps will still be available for purchase from the post office and other authorized retailers. 

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA).