Starting Friday, Louisiana’s waterfowl hunters can go online to purchase a federal duck stamp.
The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will offer federal duck stamps as an online option after Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia were selected to provide the federal E-Stamp option to waterfowlers by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Teche Area duck and goose hunters will take advantage of the opportunity.
It’s quite a feather in the state’s cap to be chosen for the pilot program. The Sportsman’s Paradise got the nod because of the state department’s license sales experience, financial capability and technical preparedness, federal and state officials said.
Robert Barham, secretary, LDWF, said in a news release July 17, “We are pleased to be among the first in the country to offer this hunting permit purchase option and will continue to work to provide our customers more convenient methods for license and permit purchases.”
Hunters who buy the federal E-Stamp online beginning Friday may use the confirmation number given at the time of purchase for 45 days from the date of purchase. Within that time frame, a U.S. Postal Service-certified federal duck stamp will be mailed to the hunter. To purchase a federal E-Stamp after Thursday go to www.wlf.louisiana.gov/licenses/hunting-licenses.
Hunters also have an option to purchase a temporary federal E-Stamp from any retail vendor selling Louisiana hunting licenses. The temporary stamp issued then through either of these methods allow a hunter to legally harvest waterfowl while awaiting an actual stamp that will be mailed to the license holder’s address.
After 45 days, hunters must carry their federal duck stamp while hunting.
For more information on the Federal E-Stamp Program, call (225) 765-2881.
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Speaking of licenses, there is a change coming in the time period a new resident can buy a resident fishing or hunting license in Louisiana.
Also beginning Friday new residents will qualify to purchase a resident recreational hunting and fishing license after six months in the state thanks to Act 429, which was signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal after the 2014 Louisiana Legislative Session. Act 429 reduces the time required from one year to six months to qualify as a bona fide resident for hunting and fishing licenses.
“We hope more new residents will purchase their residential recreational hunting and fishing licenses sooner as the result of this legislation. There will no longer be a need to wait a full year to enjoy the state’s fish and game opportunities as a resident license holder.”
DON SHOOPMANis outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.