Do I need a duck stamp to hunt doves or sandhill cranes?
A. The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly called “Duck Stamp” is required for hunting ducks, geese, mergansers and coots — but is not required for doves or sandhill cranes. There is some confusion, because like waterfowl, doves and sandhill cranes are migratory. birds and many hunters operate under the impression that a stamp is required. But according to federal regulations, the stamp is not required. If you have been buying the stamp to hunt doves, you can at least take some comfort in the fact that your money has been well spent. The federal law that created the duck stamp in 1934 provided that funds be used for waterfowl habitat acquisition and restoration.
