Blog Posts

First, we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and health, happiness and success in 2021. For most of us, this past year was unlike any other in our lifetime; with the emergence of COVID-19, the unprecedented wildfire season in the west and a rancorous political scene – it was challenging, to say…

When we last left off, Irwin Bode had recently been appointed Director of the newly-created Missouri Conservation Commission. Bode was charged by Syd Stephens with hiring the best people he could find in order to make Syd’s dream – to manage the state’s natural and wildlife resources based on the teachings of Aldo Leopold and…

In today’s post we shall start to look at the life of Charles W. Schwartz, one of this country’s most influential wildlife artists. Charles was a very amiable man who, in partnership with his energetic and talented wife, Elizabeth, was a benevolent force in the conservation and environmental movements of the 20th century. A force…

This has obviously been an unusual year and the annual duck stamp art contest was not immune from changes made to ensure public safety during the current COVID-19 Pandemic. The contest was originally scheduled to take place on the Drake University campus in Des Moines, Iowa this weekend. The much-anticipated event would have included tributes…

Someone who made one of the greatest contributions to our hobby, legendary Iowa wildlife artist Maynard Reece, passed away on July 11. Maynard created the artwork for five federal and many other state waterfowl and fish and game stamps. We have created this gallery to honor his memory – and remain forever grateful.    …

In todays conclusion to our series on the scrapbook assembled by Herman D. “Shorty” Schoettger, we will see a number of uncommon licenses and gain some additional insights from Shorty, himself. As we saw in Part One, his long-time sporting companion, Ira Cahoon, passed away in April of 1921. Therefore, starting around this time Shorty…

Today we will start to look at some pieces from a scrapbook formed by a man who lived in Nebraska. The scrapbook contained some very early hunting and fishing licenses and several accompanying newspaper articles, wherein he provides detailed (and entertaining) accounts of his sporting exploits. These narratives provide context and flavor seldom encountered with…

In today’s post we will look at the 14 federal duck stamps that were issued from 1984-85 through 1997-98 (RW51 – RW64). In 1998, U.S. Post Offices were supplied with new style, self-adhesive stamps (commonly known as peel and stick) to sell hunters. Gummed stamps were still produced, however, these were sold by the United…

In today’s post we will look at the 12 federal duck stamps that were issued from 1972-73 through 1983-84 (RW39 – RW50). This period saw the collecting of duck stamps and prints really take flight. We will explore some of the reasons behind this phenomenon and discover why even more hunters than before would make…

Today we will look at 13 federal duck stamps that were issued during the Vietnam War, starting with the 1959-60 season and continuing through 1971-72 (RW26 – RW38). They are often referred to as the “$3 ducks” and are notable for several reasons. Aside from the one dollar fee increase, perhaps the most defining thing…