The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the hunting privileges associated with the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) are changing to a calendar year, January 1 through December 31. To facilitate this change, for the remainder of calendar year 2010 and 2011, the DEP will issue a 2010-2011 Duck Stamp with privileges that begin on July 1, 2010 and end on December 31, 2011. Starting in 2012, duck hunting privileges will be for a calendar year, January 1 through December 31. This change is due to legislation passed in April 2010 by the Connecticut State Legislature. The legislation also increased the cost of the Duck Stamp to $13. The Migratory Bird Conservation Fund also has been recreated, meaning that all money collected from the sale of stamps will once again go directly toward wetland conservation projects and improvement of waterfowl hunting access in Connecticut. Over $1.1 million has been raised and spent on wetland habitat conservation in Connecticut since 1993, when the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp Program was initiated. These funds have been provided, in large part, by hunters. A substantial portion of the $1.1 million also was raised through sales to Duck Stamp collectors and to collectors of artistic prints from 1993 to 2002 when the production and sale of prints was discontinued. Hunters 16 years of age or older are required to purchase a Connecticut Duck Stamp every year if they plan to hunt waterfowl in Connecticut. However, anyone who has an interest in wetland and waterfowl conservation can purchase and collect stamps. The stamps feature a different waterfowl species each year. The 2010-2011 stamp features an illustration of the common goldeneye by Clint Herdman, a wildlife artist from Beacon Falls, Connecticut. Mr. Herdman is an avid conservationist and the current Vice President of the Connecticut Waterfowlers Association. He and several other sportsmen worked with the State Legislature to help get the Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Fund recreated.