Crow Creek Indian Reservation

Waterfowl Stamps

In 1989, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe became the first tribal government to issue pictorial fish and game license stamps in the U.S. For 1989 and 1990, three separate waterfowl stamps were printed each year; one for reservation residents, one for South Dakota residents and one for non-resident hunters. The stamps were printed in booklet panes of five (1x5) with a tab at the top. The panes were perforated 11 3/4 between the stamps and between the stamps and the tab. Two hundred stamps were printed for each classification in 1989 and 250 of each were printed in 1990. Serial numbers were printed in red.

No $30 stamps were issued to hunters in 1990. The Tribal Council raised the fee charged South Dakota residents to $65, the same as non-residents, and the $65 stamps were used on licenses issued to both classifications of hunters that year. One pane of 1990 non-resident stamps has been recorded with the serial numbers missing.

No stamps were issued between 1990 and 1994. Five different semi-pictorial stamps were printed in 1994. Separate season stamps were printed for tribal members, affiliates and reservation residents, and South Dakota residents and non-residents. Daily stamps were also printed for the latter classification. An initial printing of the daily stamps had a face value of $25 printed on them when the fee was actually $30. Once discovered, the error stamps were immediately recalled and replaced with corrected versions — but not before many had already been sold to hunters.

The 1994 stamps were printed in booklet panes of five (1x5) with a tab at the top. The panes were plain rouletted 6 1/2 between the stamps and between the stamps and the tab. Five panes were stapled between covers to form a booklet. From 1995 through 1997, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe had their stamps printed in multicolor. The stamps were printed in booklet panes of five (1x5) with a tab at the top. The panes were perforated 12 between the stamps and between the stamps and the tab. Five panes were stapled between covers to form a booklet. The same photograph was reproduced on the 1996 and 1997 stamps. All 1997 non-resident one-day stamps were printed with a face value of $75.00 — in error. The tribe sold the stamps to hunters for S35.00. All Crow Creek waterfowl stamps have dry gum.

Starting in 1995, the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe established a policy for stamp collectors whereby stamps with a face value of over $30.00 are sold at 50 percent following the waterfowl season. Following the 2000 seasons, the tribe rescinded their stamp collector policy. Collectors and dealers were no longer allowed to purchase stamps directly from the tribe. Insufficient information exists concerning Crow Creek stamp issues after 1999 to list them in this catalog. It is possible this section may be updated in the future. For more in-depth information, see Fish and Game Stamps of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and Crow Creek Resumes Stamps Program. For images of stamps in this series see 1989 - 1995 Crow Creek Stamps.