United States - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will sell duck stamps online for the first time this year, giving hunters an alternative to buying paper duck stamps. USFWS recently selected Missouri, along with a handful of other states, to provide duck stamps through its new e-Stamp option.

Starting Aug. 1, hunters can buy the new federal e-Stamps online at mo.wildlifelicense.com.

The e-Stamp will have a $2.50 convenience fee for handling and mailing in addition to the $15 purchase price.

The Electronic Duck Stamp, or e-Stamp, allows customers to purchase the Federal Duck Stamp online and use it immediately. The E-Stamp is valid for 45 days from the date of purchase. Within that time, a physical Duck Stamp will be mailed to the customer. After 45 days, the customer must carry their Federal Duck Stamp while hunting.

In the past, paper duck stamps were sold at post offices, MDC offices, and some retail permit vendors. This year, paper stamps will still be available from post offices and MDC offices, but not from permit vendors. Retail vendors will still be able to process e-Stamp transactions for hunters.

For more info on the new e-Stamp offering, visit USFWS online at fws.gov/duckstamps/stamps.htm.

The decision not to sell paper duck stamps through retail vendors came from federal officials after we already printed our 2014 Early Migratory Bird Hunting Digest. As a result, the digest says hunters can buy duck stamps from retail vendors, without mentioning details of purchasing e-Stamps. Sorry for any confusion.