Montana
Bird License Stamps
Bird License stamps were required to hunt waterfowl in Montana starting in 1969. It was previously reported in the 1991 Scott Federal and State Duck Stamp Catalogue that these stamps were "not required to hunt waterfowl." This resulted from erroneous information supplied to E.L. Vanderford by a Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks License Section employee. Montana conservation licenses state beneath the stamp box "waterfowl hunters must possess both Montana Bird and Federal Waterfowl stamps."
Lines were printed for the license agent to fill in the license number and date of issue. Through 1977-78 issues, the stamps were printed in booklet panes of ten (5x2) with a tab at the left. Stamps from 1969-70 and 1970-71 were color rouletted (black) 9 1/2 horizontally and color rouletted (red) 9 1/2 vertically. Stamps from 1971-72 through 1977-78 were plain rouletted 9 1/2. From 1969-70 through 1974-75, the stamps had dry gum, with the exception of 1970-71 stamps which had shiny gum. From 1975-76 through 1977-78, stamps were issued with shiny gum. The 1978-79 and 1979-80 stamps were printed in booklet panes of ten (5x2) with a tab attached to the left of each stamp. The 1978-79 stamps were plain rouletted 9 1/2, while those from 1979-80 were plain rouletted 6 1/2. The 1978-79 and 1979-80 stamps all had shiny gum.
Starting in 1980-81 and continuing through the present time, Montana has issued what have come to be known as "strip-type stamps". That is, the stamps are much wider than they are tall — thus resembling strips of paper. It should be noted that Montana also sold a "Bird Art" stamp in 1980-81 that was not required for hunting. From 1980-81 through 1984-85, resident, youth and non-resident bird stamps measured approximately 120 mm wide by 16 mm tall. For 1985-65 and 1986-87, similar stamps were issued for resident and non-resident hunters only. Starting with the 1987-88 issues, the size of the stamps was reduced to approximately 72 mm x 15 mm. Resident stamps only have been issued since the 1988-89 season.
All of the strip-type stamps have been non-pictorial self-adhesives, requiring a protective backing. The larger stamps were printed very close together on backing paper which was cut into "panes" of ten stamps (1x10) with a tab at the top. Two panes with carbons were inserted between printed card stock covers to form a booklet. Starting in 1987-88, the stamps were printed very close together on backing paper which was also cut into panes of ten stamps (1x10) with a tab at the top. Only one pane and carbon was inserted between printed card stock covers to form a booklet.
Although the panes were scored between the stamps, it was often necessary to separate them with scissors. All of the strip-type stamps have been imprinted with areas for license agents to fill in the hunter's conservation license number, as well as the month and day of issue. All of the strip-type stamps have been serial numbered in black. The serial number is made up of two components. The first component indicates the hunter's classification: "14" for residents; "15" for youths; and "22" for non-residents. The second component indicates of the sequential number of the stamp within the print run. For images of all stamps in this series from the classic period see 1969 - 1977 Montana Bird Stamps.
Estimated values for unsigned stamps are for any unused stamps, free from notations, that may have had their gum removed. Signed values are for stamps with notations; they may or may not bear a signature. Due to their extreme width, strip-type stamps were nearly always creased after they were affixed to the hunter's license. Values for strip-type stamps on license are for those with one fairly unobtrusive crease affecting the stamp itself. Licenses bearing stamps with multiple or heavy creases usually sell for considerably less.
| Series Number | Figure Number | Validity Period | Face Value | Description | Unused Value | Unsigned Value | Signed Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | F-MT1 | 1969-70 | $2.00 | black on cream, resident on license | 425.00 | 150.00 | 15.00 25.00 |
| 2. | F-MT1 | 1969-70 | $1.00 | black on orange, youth on license | 425.00 | 150.00 | 50.00 75.00 |
| 3. | F-MT1 | 1969-70 | $25.00 | black on orange-brown on license | 425.00 | 150.00 | 75.00 125.00 |
| 4. | F-MT1 | 1970-71 | $2.00 | black and red on gray, resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 4a. | stamps from positions ten are missing the "1" in "1971" on license | 650.00 | |||||
| 5. | F-MT1 | 1970-71 | $1.00 | black and red on blue, youth on license | 3,250.00 | 750.00 | 125.00 150.00 |
| 6. | F-MT1 | 1970-71 | $25.00 | black and red on salmon, non-resident on license | – | 350.00 500.00 |
|
| 7. | F-MT2 | 1971-72 | $2.00 | black and red on manila, resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 8. | F-MT2 | 1971-72 | $1.00 | black and red on yellow, youth on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 35.00 50.00 |
| 9. | F-MT2 | 1971-72 | $25.00 | black and red on gray, non-resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 75.00 |
| 10. | F-MT3 | 1972-73 | $2.00 | black and red on blue-green, resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 11. | F-MT3 | 1972-73 | $1.00 | black and red on blue, youth on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 35.00 50.00 |
| 12. | F-MT3 | 1972-73 | $25.00 | black and red on dark yellow, non-resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 75.00 |
| 13. | F-MT3 | 1973-74 | $2.00 | black and red on dark yellow, resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 14. | F-MT3 | 1973-74 | $1.00 | black and red on light yellow, youth on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 35.00 50.00 |
| 15. | F-MT3 | 1973-74 | $25.00 | black and red on blue-green, non-resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 75.00 |
| 16. | F-MT3 | 1974-75 | $2.00 | black and red on blue-green, resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 17. | F-MT3 | 1974-75 | $1.00 | black and red on blue, youth on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 35.00 50.00 |
| 18. | F-MT3 | 1974-75 | $25.00 | black and red on dark yellow, non-resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 75.00 |
| 19. | F-MT3 | 1975-76 | $2.00 | black and red on light tan, resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 20. | F-MT3 | 1975-76 | $1.00 | black and red on light yellow, youth on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 35.00 50.00 |
| 21. | F-MT3 | 1975-76 | $25.00 | black and red on light blue-green, non-resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 75.00 |
| 22. | F-MT3 | 1976-77 | $4.00 | black and red on light blue-green, non-resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 23. | F-MT3 | 1976-77 | $2.00 | black and red on lavender, youth on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 35.00 50.00 |
| 24. | F-MT3 | 1976-77 | $30.00 | black and red on peach, non-resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 75.00 |
| 25. | F-MT3 | 1977-78 | $4.00 | black and red on light rose, resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 26. | F-MT3 | 1977-78 | $2.00 | black and red on light blue-green, youth on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 35.00 50.00 |
| 27. | F-MT3 | 1977-78 | $30.00 | black and red on gray, non-resident on license | 675.00 | 125.00 | 50.00 75.00 |
| 28. | F-MT4 | 1978-79 | $4.00 | sage grouse, resident on license | 9.00 | 7.00 | 2.00 10.00 |
| 29. | F-MT4 | 1978-79 | $2.00 | sage grouse, youth on license | 9.00 | 7.00 | 5.00 15.00 |
| 30. | F-MT4 | 1978-79 | $30.00 | sage grouse, non-resident on license | 9.00 | 7.00 | 6.50 25.00 |
| 31. | F-MT5 | 1979-80 | $4.00 | snow geese, resident on license | 9.00 | 7.00 | 2.00 10.00 |
| 32. | F-MT5 | 1979-80 | $2.00 | snow geese, youth on license | 9.00 | 7.00 | 5.00 15.00 |
| 33. | F-MT5 | 1979-80 | $30.00 | snow geese, non-resident on license | 9.00 | 7.00 | 6.50 25.00 |
| 34. | F-MT6 | 1980-81 | $4.00 | black on manila on license | 10.00 20.00 |
||
| 35. | F-MT6 | 1980-81 | $2.00 | (information needed) -, youth | |||
| 36. | F-MT6 | 1980-81 | $30.00 | black on gray-green, non-resident on license | 35.00 65.00 |
||
| 37. | F-MT6 | 1981-82 | $4.00 | (information needed) -, resident | |||
| 38. | F-MT6 | 1981-82 | $2.00 | (information needed) -, youth | |||
| 39. | F-MT6 | 1981-82 | $30.00 | (information needed) -, non-resident | |||
| 40. | F-MT6 | 1982-83 | $4.00 | black on yellow, resident on license | 5.00 10.00 |
||
| 41. | F-MT6 | 1982-83 | $2.00 | (information needed) -, youth | |||
| 42. | F-MT6 | 1982-83 | $30.00 | black on light green on license | 20.00 50.00 |
||
| 43. | F-MT6 | 1983-84 | $4.00 | black on yellow-gray, resident on license | 4,250.00 | 65.00 | 5.00 10.00 |
| 44. | F-MT6 | 1983-84 | $2.00 | black on gray, youth on license | 4,250.00 | 65.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 45. | F-MT6 | 1983-84 | $30.00 | black on light blue, non-resident on license | 4,250.00 | 65.00 | 20.00 50.00 |
| 46. | F-MT6 | 1984-85 | $4.00 | black on light blue-green, resident on license | 3,500.00 | 55.00 | 5.00 10.00 |
| 47. | F-MT6 | 1984-85 | $2.00 | black on light violet, youth on license | 3,500.00 | 85.00 | 10.00 20.00 |
| 48. | F-MT6 | 1984-85 | $30.00 | black on gray, non-resident on license | 3,500.00 | 55.00 | 20.00 50.00 |
| 49. | F-MT6 | 1985-86 | $4.00 | black on light blue, resident on license | 3,500.00 | 85.00 | 5.00 10.00 |
| 50. | F-MT6 | 1985-86 | $30.00 | black on lavender, non-resident on license | 3,500.00 | 55.00 | 20.00 50.00 |
| 51. | F-MT6 | 1986-87 | $4.00 | black on pumpkin, resident on license | 2,950.00 | 85.00 | 5.00 10.00 |
| 52. | F-MT6 | 1986-87 | $30.00 | black on light blue, non-resident on license | 2,950.00 | 85.00 | 20.00 50.00 |
| 53. | F-MT7 | 1987-88 | $4.00 | black on orange-brown, resident on license | 1,250.00 | 45.00 | 3.00 5.00 |
| 54. | F-MT7 | 1987-88 | $30.00 | black on tan, non-resident on license | 1,750.00 | 65.00 | 15.00 40.00 |
| 55. | F-MT7 | 1988-89 | $6.00 | black on light blue, resident on license | 1,100.00 | 35.00 | 3.00 5.00 |
| 56. | F-MT7 | 1988-89 | $53.00 | black on purple, non-resident on license | 1,750.00 | 65.00 | 15.00 40.00 |
| 57. | F-MT7 | 1989-90 | $6.00 | black on rose, resident on license | 950.00 | 20.00 | 2.00 4.00 |
| 58. | F-MT7 | 1990-91 | $6.00 | black on lavender, resident on license | 450.00 | 15.00 | 2.00 4.00 |
| 59. | F-MT7 | 1991-92 | $6.00 | black on pale blue, resident on license | 350.00 | 12.50 | 2.00 4.00 |
| 60. | F-MT7 | 1992-93 | $6.00 | black on brown, resident on license | 350.00 | 11.00 | 2.00 4.00 |
| 61. | F-MT7 | 1993-94 | $6.00 | black on blue, resident on license | 250.00 | 10.00 | 1.50 3.00 |
| 62. | F-MT7 | 1994-95 | $6.00 | black on red-orange, resident on license | 225.00 | 9.00 | 1.50 3.00 |
| 63. | F-MT7 | 1995-96 | $6.00 | black on purple, resident on license | 75.00 | 6.00 | 1.50 3.00 |
| 64. | F-MT7 | 1996-97 | $6.00 | black on blue, resident on license | 50.00 | 5.00 | 1.00 2.00 |
| 65. | F-MT7 | 1997-98 | $6.00 | black on mauve, resident on license | 35.00 | 4.00 | 1.00 2.00 |
| 66. | F-MT7 | 1998-99 | $6.00 | black on gray, resident on license | 15.00 | 3.00 | 1.00 2.00 |
| 67. | F-MT8 | 1998-99 | $20.00 | black on light green, shooting preserve on license | – | – | – – |
| 68. | F-MT7 | 1999-00 | $6.00 | black on green, resident on license | 15.00 | 3.00 | 1.00 2.00 |
| 69. | F-MT8 | 1999-00 | $20.00 | black on orange-brown, shooting preserve on license | – | – | – – |
| 70. | F-MT7 | 2000-01 | $6.00 | black on tan, resident on license | 12.00 | – | – – |
