(Provided by Michigan DNR)

The Michigan DNR, in cooperation with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal Duck Stamp Office, now offers the federal migratory bird hunting stamp, also known as the Duck Stamp, for purchase online at www.mdnr-elicense.com.

The Federal Duck Stamp, required annually for all migratory waterfowl hunters age 16 or older, will cost $17. It will be available for purchase first via E-license and at license-sales retail locations in late August.

"This is a great opportunity to enhance customer service by offering hunters one-stop shopping for licenses and Duck Stamps," said DNR Licensing and Reservations Manager Denise Gruben. "When invited to participate in the federal E-Stamp program, the DNR accepted heartily."

The Duck Stamp, originally created in 1934 as a federal license required for hunting migratory birds, has become a vital tool for wetland conservation. For every dollar generated by the sale of federal Duck Stamps, 98 cents goes directly to buy or lease wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Proceeds have been used to purchase or lease about 5.6 million acres of wetland habitat on many of the more than 560 national wildlife refuges.

The eight states that have been issuing Duck Stamps electronically since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service piloted its E-Stamp program have seen total sales increase from 56,000 stamps in 2007 to more than 430,000 in 2013.