Virginia Ducks Unlimited is pleased to announce the passing of legislation that will make the duck stamp mandatory for Virginia hunters. The Virginia duck stamp has been a voluntary purchase since it was first issued in 1988. With this legislation, the price of the stamp will increase to $9.75 per stamp. All net proceeds will go into a special fund limited to waterfowl research and enhancement and will be divided equally between the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and not-for-profit organizations for work in Virginia. The stamp will be required for hunting beginning in 2005. The legislation requires the stamp to be carried by the hunter, however, there will be provisions for the “stamp” to be purchased by telephone or the Internet. The purchaser will receive a code indicating that a stamp has been purchased that will be acceptable for the Game Warden until an authentic stamp is received by mail for the purchaser to attach to their hunting license. Virginia Ducks Unlimited is working with the game department to enable collectors and dealers to acquire stamps and prints as they have since Ducks Unlimited began managing the program in 2000. Virginia DU envisions two additional stamp formats, a booklet strip for distribution by a fulfillment agent (for telephone and Internet sales) and another booklet format with a stub for hunter contact information.