Editing Federal Duck Stamp (section)

==Overview==
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Duck stamps are issued once a year. In most states, [[hunter]]s are required to purchase both a federal and state stamp before hunting waterfowl. Waterfowl [[hunting season]]s vary, but most begin in September or October, so naturally, stamps are needed prior to opening day of the hunting season. Currently, the federal stamp and more than half of the state stamps are issued by July. Many are issued on the first day of the new year, and a few at the last minute in September or early October.

The annual federal duck stamp had a [[face value]] of $1 in 1934, jumped to $2 in 1949, and to $3 in 1959.<ref name=USA.gov /> In 1972 the price increased to $5, then up to $7.50 in 1979, $10 in 1987, $12.50 in 1989 and to $15 in 1991. In 2015 the price of federal duck stamp rose to $25.  For every $15 stamp sold, the federal government retained $14.70 for wetlands acquisition and conservation, with just 30 cents to overhead. Most state conservation stamps have a face value of $5. [[New Hampshire]] has the lowest price at $4; [[North Carolina]] is the highest at $27. Funds generated from state stamps are designated for wetlands restoration and preservation, much like the federal funds, but with a more localized purpose. Most state agencies sell their stamps at face value. However, some also charge a premium to collectors buying single stamps, to help cover overhead costs. Some states also produce [[special edition|limited editions]] for collectors.