National Leaders from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unveil 2019-20 Federal Duck Stamp at Bass Pro Shops
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A graceful male wood duck swimming near a decoy adorns the 2019-2020 Federal Duck Stamp that goes on sale today. The 86th Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp made its debut at a special event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield, Missouri.
The 2019-2020 Federal Duck Stamp design was chosen from over 150 entries in the annual art contest held in September 2018. The theme of this year’s stamp is “Celebrating our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage” and is a special tribute to the conservation efforts and funding provided by hunters. In keeping with the theme, Scot Storm’s artwork features a single drake wood duck swimming in a marsh with a vintage Mason tack-eye decoy floating in the background. The painting, by Scot Storm of Freeport, Minnesota, is his second Federal Duck Stamp; he also created the 2004-2005 stamp, which featured flying redhead ducks. In addition, Storm is a three-time recipient of Ducks Unlimited’s International Artist of the Year award and his artwork has also been featured on several state conservation stamps.
The Junior Duck Stamp features a harlequin duck painted by Nicole Jeon, from Scarsdale, New York. Jeon was introduced to conservation through the Junior Duck Stamp Program and is motivated to learn more about how her art can help support wildlife. She currently hopes that one day she can share her talents as an art teacher or professor.
The Federal Duck Stamp plays a critically important role in wildlife conservation. Since 1934, sales from the iconic stamp have raised more than $1 billion to protect six million acres of wetlands habitat on national wildlife refuges. First petitioned by sportsmen and women who banded together to protect wildlife habitat, the stamps continue to be fueled by waterfowl hunters required to buy a Federal Duck Stamp each year. In addition to hunters being required to buy the stamps, the stamps are very popular among collectors and many birders, wildlife photographers and other outdoor enthusiasts buy them to support wildlife and habitat conservation.
“On behalf of our passionate conservation leader and founder Johnny Morris, it’s an honor for Bass Pro Shops to host the First Day of Sale ceremony at the Springfield Outdoor World store,” said Bob Ziehmer, Senior Director of Conservation for Bass Pro Shops. “The Federal Duck Stamp is a national conservation icon, raising millions of dollars for wetland conservation and promoting wildlife art. And, as a long term supporter of the Junior Duck Stamp Program, Bass Pro Shops recognizes the importance of instilling a conservation ethic among our young citizens and communities. The Junior Duck Stamp Program is just another way we can support conservation education.”
Leaders from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on hand included Margaret Everson, Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Jerome Ford, Assistant Director, Migratory Bird Program; Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited and Nick Wiley, Chief Conservation Officer of Ducks Unlimited, Terri Ryan, USPS Postmaster for Springfield and Bob Ziehmer, Senior Director of Conservation at Bass Pro Shops, were also on-hand to commemorate the occasion and be among the first to buy this year’s stamp. Artists Storm and Jeon signed autographs and posed for photos with fans. Daniel Billings, Missouri’s Junior Duck Stamp Winner, who competed in the National Junior Contest, was also recognized and posed for photographs.
2019 marks the 13th year Bass Pro Shops has hosted the first day of sale event. Hunters, conservationists and collectors can purchase the Federal Duck Stamp at all Bass Pro Shops retail locations in the United States.
To purchase or learn more about the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp, visit www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php
# # #
About Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”
