© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 2020

The 2020 Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp and Print will feature a beautiful pair of breeding-plumage northern pintails painted by D.J. Cleland-Hura of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. A panel of expert judges selected Cleland-Hura’s painting, titled “Come Spring – Northern Pintail,” from dozens of entries.

All waterfowlers in Canada are required to purchase the stamp to validate their migratory bird hunting permits. Since the program’s inception in 1985, stamp and print sales have generated more than $50 million. The funds are administered by Wildlife Habitat Canada and have been invested to support more than 1,500 conservation projects across Canada, including Delta Waterfowl’s duck production and HunteR3 programs.

However, the cost of the “Canadian duck stamp” has been $8.50 since 1991. According to Jim Fisher, Delta Waterfowl’s senior director of Canadian conservation and hunting policy, a price increase is worth considering to protect the stamp’s waterfowl conservation legacy.

“The stamp’s benefits to Canada’s waterfowl and waterfowl hunters is undeniable, and Delta is deeply grateful for the support WHC has provided to our programs over the years,” Fisher said. “However, with inflation alone, what cost $1.00 in 1991 costs $1.68 today! Using this math, the duck stamp should cost more than $14. Topped with today’s increased needs for waterfowl conservation and hunter recruitment, you can see why a price increase on this important funding source should be explored once COVID-19 is behind us.”

In the meantime, supporters of Canada’s waterfowl conservation efforts may want to consider buying additional stamps to further support ducks and duck hunting. For information on the availability of stamps, prints and other related products, visit: whc.org. —Bill Miller