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Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp

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How to Purchase

The annual Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp can be purchased for a fee of $10.00 (resident or non-resident) at license agents or clerks that sell Virginia hunting licenses or from the Department’s website.

Persons buying the stamp online or at a license agent will have the option of having the physical stamp mailed to them. The “Privileges” section on the right side of the license, listing the privileges purchased, will serve as proof of purchasing the stamp.

Either a signed physical stamp, if a stamp was received, or the “Privileges” section of the license must be carried with the licensee while hunting or taking any migratory waterfowl. The stamp does not have to be affixed to the license but must be signed across the face of the stamp by the licensee and cannot be transferred to another hunter.

Stamp Fund

The monies generated from all sales of the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp will be placed in the Department’s Game Protection Fund and accounted for under a separate fund designated as the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Fund (the Stamp Fund) and shall be used only by the Department of Wildlife Resources in the following manner:

  • The Department will first utilize these monies to cover administrative costs associated with production, issuance of, and accounting for the Stamp.
  • The Department shall contract 50% of the remaining annual revenue deposited in the Stamp Fund with appropriate nonprofit organizations for cooperative waterfowl habitat improvement projects. To facilitate this process, the Department has established a review committee that solicits projects for potential funding and evaluates projects based on expected benefits to waterfowl habitat.
  • The remainder of the monies in the Stamp Fund shall be used by the Department to protect, preserve, restore, enhance and develop waterfowl habitat in Virginia.

For more information, please contact the Department at wildlife@dwr.virginia.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Do I need a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp to hunt doves?
    • No. The Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp is only required when hunting or taking ducks, geese, brant or swans in Virginia.
  2. If I get my Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp online or through an automated license system, do I have to send off for the actual stamp?
    • No. When purchasing the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp through an automated license delivery system you will have the option of getting the actual stamp by mail. If you decide not to get the stamp then the license with your listed “privileges” will serve as your proof of purchase.
  3. I’m a collector, can I get a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp?
  4. Do I still have to be registered with the Virginia Harvest Information Program (HIP) if I buy the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp?
    • Yes, all hunters who plan to hunt migratory game birds (including doves, waterfowl, rails, woodcock, snipe, coots, gallinules or moorhens) in Virginia,whether licensed or license-exempt, must be registered with the Virginia Harvest Information Program (HIP). The HIP registration must be completed each hunting season. You will not be given a separate HIP number but your customer number will serve as your HIP registration, and confirmation of your HIP registration will be printed on you license.
  5. If I am a landowner hunting waterfowl on my own land do I need to purchase a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp?
    • The legislation passed establishing the stamp reads “Any person who is exempt from hunting license requirements shall also be exempt from the requirements imposed by this section” (section: 29.1-339.2, Establishment of Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp). This means a landowner hunting waterfowl on their own property would be exempt from purchasing a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp.
  6. Do I need a Federal Duck Stamp in addition to the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp?
    • Yes. A Federal Duck Stamp is required of any person 16 years of age and older to hunt or take any migratory waterfowl. There are no exceptions for landowners or for license exempt hunters to this federal requirement.
  7. Can I buy a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp at the U.S. Post Office when I pick up my Federal Duck Stamp?
    • No. Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamps are available at license agents that sell Virginia hunting licenses, or online at the Department’s web site.
  8. If I get a Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp do I have to sign it and stick it on my hunting license?
    • Yes and No. As the licensee you must sign the stamp across the face of the stamp. The law does not require the stamp to be affixed to the license. The signed stamp must be in your possession when hunting or taking any migratory waterfowl. The Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp cannot be transferred to another hunter.
  9. What do I do if I lose my Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp?
    • You will need to purchase another one. There are no provisions for a duplicate stamp to be sold at a lower fee.
  10. There are no numbers on my stamp — can you explain?
    • Sequential numbering of stamps was costly to print; to save on this administrative overhead, so more dollars could remain in the Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Fund, it was decided to forego numbering individual stamps.

About the Artist – Paul Makucha

Paul Makuchal of Pocomoke City, Maryland, painted “Autumn Snows,” which portrays a pair of snow geese in flight over a marsh background. The piece was judged the winner out of 11 entries from artists spanning the United States. The 2024 Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp theme was snow goose, Ross’ goose, Canada goose, brant, common goldeneye, and ruddy duck.