Hunting proponents propose upland stamp

Two upland bird hunting enthusiasts have proposed establishing a federal upland stamp to conserve upland habitat.

Brian Koch, founder of Ultimate Upland, an online bird hunting community, and outdoor columnist Christine Cunningham have introduced a petition to create an upland bird stamp modeled after the highly successful federal duck stamp. Koch and Cunningham co-authored the article, It’s Time for The Federal Upland Stamp, to voice concerns regarding the declining upland bird habitat in the United States and create an opportunity to highlight the cultural value of upland game species to broader audiences.

“The goal of the Federal Upland Stamp is to build a new program to reverse the losses of upland habitat and the resulting negative impacts to the numerous species of wildlife that exist in those spaces,” Koch said. “We believe bird hunters should take charge of a new conservation measure that places an emphasis on stewardship.”

The petition will survey wildlife enthusiasts on proposed stamp costs and how to utilize funds generated by an upland stamp managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If the petition is successful, Koch and Cunningham plan to work with federal agencies, members of Congress and conservation organizations to create the stamp.

“When we talk about the most serious threats to hunting today, the most critical issue hunters’ face is loss of habitat,” Cunningham said. “Grassland bird species have suffered steep declines over the last 50 years. Recent listings and the nationwide scope of the problem make conservation a priority. An upland stamp does not just provide funds toward conservation, it will highlight the value of upland birds to a wider audience.”

More information is available at uplandstamp.org or on Ultimate Upland’s Facebook page.