Peace Garden News

A new law in North Dakota will require all waterfowl hunters, regardless of age, to carry a state-issued waterfowl habitat restoration stamp while hunting this fall. The regulation applies to those pursuing ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, and coots.

Senate Bill 2216 mandates that both residents and nonresidents must purchase an electronic waterfowl habitat restoration stamp for $5. Revenue from these sales will go into the Waterfowl Habitat Improvement Fund. This fund is intended to enhance and restore habitats for waterfowl and also support youth hunting initiatives.

In addition to the state requirement, hunters aged 16 and older must have a federal duck stamp starting September 1. The federal electronic duck stamp remains valid throughout the entire waterfowl season. Individuals who buy the e-stamp will receive a physical version by mail in March 2026.

For those interested in obtaining physical federal duck stamps sooner or supporting conservation through additional purchases, they are available at many U.S. Postal Service offices or online via the Amplex website (https://store.usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/duck-stamps-FEDUCKSTMP). Hunters wishing to contribute further to conservation efforts are encouraged to use Amplex for extra duck stamp purchases.