Ohio Duck Stamp

What is a Duck Stamp? 

 According to the President of the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society:  "The federal duck stamp program began in 1934 with Scott #RW1 (see illustration).  . . . Federal Duck stamps are revenue stamps issued by the federal government to raise funds for wetlands preservation. The stamps validate a license to hunt migratory waterfowl when affixed to the license and signed by the hunter. Since the hunting season for waterfowl begins in the fall and may extend into winter of the following year, the stamps are issued midyear and display the date of expiration in the next year. The initial stamp was issued by the Department of Agriculture; in 1939, the duck stamp program was transferred to the Department of the Interior (DOI), where it is currently managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Through 1976, the stamps bore the inscription 'Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp.' In 1977, the inscription changed to 'Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp'. "

 So, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, anyone over the age of 16 who wants to hunt "ducks, geese, and brant" has to purchase a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (available at the post office for $15.   In Ohio, one must also have an Ohio Wetlands Stamp.  Ohio issued its first Duck Stamp in 1982.

 States sponsor junior and senior contests to choose the illustrations for the stamps.   It seems to have become a trend to create a First Day Cover with the state duck stamps tied to relevant USPS stamps--in this case the Ohio flag and the stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Federal Duck Stamp.

 Oh, and the frog is on the lilypad in the lower right-hand corner.