Common Issues: Shooting Hours, Firearm Use, Protected Species
An article from WWA’s Words From The Wardens.
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s March, 2024 eNewsletter.
By Lt. Tyler Strelow, Supervisor of the Mississippi River Warden Team
It’s hard to believe another waterfowl season is in the rearview mirror. However, it’s all eyes forward as many count the days until September, when it is waterfowl season again.
I understand and share your enthusiasm. While we look ahead with excitement, it is a productive exercise to review what happened in the recently ended season. We put it under the microscope to find lessons learned or lessons to be learned. It’s a valuable analysis to help make the next season even better for all.
As I have done in past years, here is my brief rundown of this past season’s law enforcement citations and calls for service. From my chair, this season was like the past few.
Before I go into the results, I must say waterfowl hunters continue to be exemplary stewards of our natural resources, with more than 95% always trying to do the right thing and following the rules. Thanks to all who continue to be responsible resource stewards and serve as our eyes and ears. Thank you for your partnership and support. We couldn’t do our job without you.
The calls for service that wardens receive vary greatly. However, you’re right to think there are some common themes during hunting season.
Common Violations
Our most common calls for service start with shooting hour violations. Yes, it is an exciting season — you want to get started and may not want to end your outing. However, we ask all to honor the legal shooting hours. It’s safer for all to know when the shooting may begin and will end.
Other most frequent calls for wardens included hunting by illegal means, hunting during closed season and taking, or attempting to take, a protected species. These calls are also reflected in wardens’ enforcement actions throughout the season.
Moving on to migratory birds, wardens saw a slight bump in migratory bird-related citations this past year. Our data, however, does not include any citations related to boating, litter or other non-migratory bird-related enforcement taken on waterfowl hunters. That data is hard to extract.
The top five citations start with hunting with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells. In second place are shooting hour violations.
Not far behind is hunting from a moving motorboat or transporting loaded firearms in a motorboat. In fourth place was taking protected species of birds, and the fifth top citation was hunting waterfowl during the closed season.
One notable change in citation numbers over the past couple of years is an uptick in shooting hour violations, and most were issued during the early teal season.
Historically, wardens have used a high level of discretion with shooting hour violations when the teal season was newer. With the teal season now an established part of the annual waterfowl season and with the continued complaints from hunters, citations are being issued for those violations.
Hunting Continues To Be Safe
Waterfowl hunting continues to be a safe sport with a low hunting incident rate. This year, there was only one reported injury incident, which involved two hunters. In this case, one hunter was struck and injured by pellets.
Hunters following the four basic rules of firearm safety continue to keep hunters and the public safe while in the field.
Thank you again for your partnership, support and dedication to doing things right. It’s worth repeating — we couldn’t do our job without you!
Enjoy your off-season.