By Bruce Ross, Executive Director
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s July Newsletter edition.
The judging pool from our 2018 Decoy Carving Contest
Of course, as a WWA newbie, every month in my first year brings a new perspective on WWA activities… but this month looks particularly neat. We have several WWA events: golf, sporting clay shoots, decoy carving – something for nearly everyone. The Fox Valley Scramble golf event is like an outdoor WWA banquet – food, games, great prizes. If you’re like me, a hacker, join us for the fun, but bring a ringer in your foursome! We expect hundreds of neat decoys at our decoy carving contest; and, of course you shoot, so join us for the Abrams or Ozaukee shoots, even if you haven’t done sporting clays before.
This newsletter also offers something for nearly everyone, and I personally have a potpourri of topics to share with you.
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Taylor Finger, WDNR Migratory Game Bird Ecologist, is now writing an article for WWA newsletters!
Here comes the DNR: We are expanding our efforts to keep you apprised of DNR waterfowl happenings around the state: This month we welcome Taylor Finger, the DNR’s Migratory Game Bird Ecologist, who has agreed to write you a regular article. Taylor is the proverbial horse’s mouth – no offense intended Taylor! – when it comes to WI Waterfowl management that affects you season-to-season. WWA is pleased to offer his insights directly to you, and together, with our monthly Words from the Wardens articles, we hope to keep you abreast of the latest in the DNR’s view of WI Waterfowling. And we are working to expand these efforts – stay tuned to this WWA “channel”.
The long view: If you are interested in knowing the future of waterfowl management in the state, check out the just-released draft of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Management Plan at this link: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/documents/WisconsinWaterfowlPlan.pdf Have a comment? Share it with us and we will consolidate input to provide it to the DNR—WWA’s “voice” will help your own input be heard loud and clear.
- REORG Update: Speaking of having a loud voice, the Board committees have formed, and several volunteers have joined the committees to bring their perspective and energy to statewide issues. We particularly need some social media/communication gurus, Learn-to-Hunt-ers, and Habitat Hounds. Reach out to me if you are interested at bruceross@wi.rr.com.
- Waterfowl stamp fee update: Thanks to those who contacted their legislators in the last couple of weeks on this topic, but I’m disappointed to report that WWA and our partners were unsuccessful in our bid to get the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to include a $5 increase to account for the 21 years of inflation since it was last adjusted. We lost this particular battle, but the war is not over. Stay tuned – you may be able to help turn the tide.
- More habitat work ahead: On the bright side, I’m pleased to report that WWA received funding from the available waterfowl stamp funds this year to continue our wetland restoration work around the state. This was my first such stamp fund allocation meeting and I was proud to see the respect in which WWA is held at this biannual meeting – thanks to the good work and insights that have gone before!
Want more info? Reach out and ask me (bruceross@wi.rr.com). Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the summer!