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EnglishWhat Licenses, Passes, and Stamps You Can Buy on fws.gov
Updated
You can buy three main things through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website: hunting licenses, fishing licenses, and the Federal Duck Stamp. The site also points you to passes for entering national wildlife refuges. Which one you need depends on what you plan to do—hunt, fish, or visit a refuge—and on your state, because the Fish & Wildlife Service works with state agencies on licensing.
What's available to purchase
| Item | What it's for | Where it's handled |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting license | Legal authorization to hunt, typically issued by your state | Linked from fws.gov's "Purchase Hunting License" service page |
| Fishing license | Legal authorization to fish, typically issued by your state | Linked from fws.gov's "Purchase Fishing License" service page |
| Federal Duck Stamp | Required for waterfowl hunting and gives you access to refuges | Purchased through FWS |
| Refuge pass | Entry to certain national wildlife refuges | "Buy a Pass" option on the FWS homepage |
The FWS homepage lists these under a "Start Your Journey" section alongside "Apply for a Permit," "Find a Refuge or Fish Hatchery," and "Find a Species."
Hunting and fishing licenses
These are the two purchase links the site surfaces directly. A key point: hunting and fishing licenses are generally issued by state wildlife agencies, not the federal government. The FWS pages act as a gateway, so expect to be routed to your state's system to complete the transaction. That means the price, eligibility rules, and residency requirements come from your state, not from fws.gov.
The Federal Duck Stamp
The Duck Stamp is the one item that is distinctly federal. It's a required purchase for waterfowl hunters and also functions as a pass for entering national wildlife refuges. If you hunt migratory waterfowl, this is the item you buy through FWS rather than your state.
Refuge passes
The "Buy a Pass" option on the homepage covers entry to refuges that charge admission. Not every refuge requires a pass, so check the specific location before buying. You can find refuges through the "Find a Refuge or Fish Hatchery" tool, which covers 570+ refuges and 70+ fish hatcheries across 50+ states and territories.
How to buy
- Go to fws.gov and look for the "Start Your Journey" section.
- Choose the item you need: "Buy a Pass," "Buy a Duck Stamp," "Purchase Hunting License," or "Purchase Fishing License."
- For licenses, follow the link to your state's licensing system and complete the purchase there.
- For the Duck Stamp or a refuge pass, complete the transaction through the FWS service page.
- Verify what you bought covers your specific activity and location—especially for refuges, since pass requirements vary by site.
Common snags
- State vs. federal confusion. If you're buying a hunting or fishing license, you're likely leaving fws.gov for a state site. Don't expect a single federal checkout for these.
- Pass not always required. Buying a refuge pass before confirming your destination needs one can be an unnecessary purchase.
- Duck Stamp is activity-specific. It matters most for waterfowl hunting; casual refuge visitors may not need it.
The site does not publish prices for these items in the material reviewed here, so check the linked service pages or your state agency for current costs and eligibility.