Stamps were first issued by the San Carlos Indian Reservation in 1997. All of the stamps were issued in rolls They are self-adhesive with plain opaque backing. Stamps are separated by scissors, so the sizes of the backing paper can vary within the same issue. All of the stamps themselves are the same size even though the backing paper can make one appear larger or smaller.
When San Carlos first issued stamps in 1997, they were without dates. Some of the stamps were numbered. All recorded mint copies have serial numbers from #990-999. Some of the first stamps sold in 1998 were rubber stamped with a purple date enclosed in a circle in the upper right part of the stamp. All recorded mint copies have serial numbers in the #580-599 range.
Not wanting to waste remaining stamps, 1998-2000 stamps were overprinted with a 2001 date. All stamps within a series have identical handwriting and initials. This practice was also done on the 2002 stamps as well. Several 2001 and 2002 stamps had white out applied to the dates so the stamps could be used at a later time. It is unknown if either of these stamps were ever used for this purpose.
Stamp production increased in 2002. There were two distinct printings. In addition to the different size backing paper, the second printing has much narrower letting. This is easily distinguished by the width of the date. Also, the date on the second printing is in a lower position.
All Non-Member hunters, trappers, and annual fishermen are required to purchase a habitat stamp. Members have the option to purchase a stamp and are not required to have one in their possession. Stamps are valid from January 1-December 31 of the year they are issued. This is a required stamp for non-member waterfowl hunters.
Although no licenses have been recorded to date, it will be just a matter of time based on the quantity of stamps sold. Prices in bold italic have not been recorded and are estimates of what the stamps would sell for should one become available. The author is very interested in obtaining scans or photocopies of any item in bold italic.

SAN CARLOS INDIAN RESERVATION

The San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation spans Gila, Graham, and Pinal Counties in southeastern Arizona, roaming over a landscape that ranges from alpine meadows to desert. Encompassing 1,834,781 acres, the San Carlos Apache Reservation was established by executive order on November 9, 1871.
Over one-third of the community’s land is forested (175,000 acres) or wooded (665,000) acres). Forest lands, with their jumbled topography, create a naturally superior habitat for many wildlife species causing elk, mule deer, turkeys, black bear and mountain lion to be at home on this reservation. A portion of the reservation is contiguous with the largest stand of ponderosa pines in the world.
The Apaches are descendent of the Athabascan family who migrated to the Southwest in the 10th century. Over time, many bands of Apache were relocated to the reservation from their traditional homelands, which once extended through Arizona and New Mexico.

SA #3

SA #1

SA #2

SA #1a

SAN CARLOS INDIAN RESERVATION

Paper color Mint On License
SA 1 1997 $5.00 Habitat gold and black on white 600.00 250.00
SA 1a 1997 $5.00 Habitat gold and black on white 600.00 150.00
SA 2 1998 $5.00 Habitat w/purple date stamp gold and black on white 600.00 250.00
SA 3 1998 $5.00 Habitat gold and black on white 15.00 35.00
SA 4 1999 $5.00 Habitat gold and black on white 15.00 35.00
SA 5 2000 $5.00 Habitat gold and black on white 40.00
SA 6 2001 $5.00 Habitat 1998 stamp overprinted gold and black on white 75.00
SA 7 2001 $5.00 Habitat 1999 stamp overprinted gold and black on white 75.00
Paper color Mint On License
SA 8 2001 $5.00 Habitat 2000 stamp overprinted gold and black on white 75.00
All recorded SA8 stamps have “Apache Gold” hand written in black ink at the bottom of the stamp
SA 9 2001 $5.00 Habitat red on white 60.00
SA 9a 2001 $5.00 Habitat date whited out red on white 25.00
SA 10 2002 $5.00 Habitat (first printing) blue on white 35.00 45.00
SA 11 2002 $5.00 Habitat (second printing) blue on white 25.00 50.00
SA 11a 2002 $5.00 Habitat date whited out blue on white 25.00
SA 12 2003 $5.00 Habitat 2002 stamp overprinted blue on white 35.00 75.00
SA 13 2003 $5.00 Habitat green on white 25.00 50.00
SA13a 2003 $5.00 Habitat (stamp hand written) blue ink on white ——
SA13b 2003 $5.00 Habitat (most printing missing) green on white ——
Paper color Mint On License
SA 14 2004 Habitat brown on white 25.00 40.00
SA 15 2005 Habitat brown on white 95.00 100.00
SA15a 2005 Habitat brown on white 20.00 40.00
Second printing has serial number in larger type and wider backing paper
SA 16 2006 Habitat green on white 50.00 40.00
SA 17 2007 Habitat orange on white 25.00 40.00
SA 18 2008 Habitat purple on white 25.00 40.00

SA #7

SA #4

SA #6

SA #5

SA #10

SA #8

SA #9a

SA #9

SAN CARLOS INDIAN RESERVATION

SA #13

SA #11

SA #12

SA #11a

SAN CARLOS INDIAN RESERVATION

SA #16

SA #14

SA #15a

SA #15

SA #13a

SA #13b

SA #22

SA #19

SA #21

SA #20

SAN CARLOS INDIAN RESERVATION

Paper color Mint On License
SA 19 2009 Habitat blue on white 25.00 40.00
SA 20 2010 Habitat green on white 25.00
SA 20 2011 Habitat blue on white 25.00
SA 20 2012 Habitat red on white 25.00
San Carlos prints their stamps three years at a time. The 2010, 2011 and 2012 were purchased towards the end of 2010.

SA #17

SA #18

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