Winter Is Still Holding On

Bruce Urben services wdhs 3.9.15By Bruce Urben, President

This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s March newsletter.

I am not sure but I think the groundhog was wearing sunglasses this year, as it seems we are not much closer to spring than we were in January.

This is not only the beginning of our event season, it is also the time for planning on a number of fronts.

We have been busy meeting with our Conservation peers and WDNR discussing the 2019 waterfowl season. It looks like 2019 will be similar to the 2018 season with liberal waterfowl bag limits. While the season structure has not been finalized, the following is being proposed with more discussion and input to be received.

  • A proposed 60 day duck season with a 6 duck bag limit. Proposed species harvest is again 4 mallards (no more than 1 hen), 3 woodies, 2 black ducks, 2 canvasback, 3 scaup, 2 redheads, 1 pintail, 3 mergansers (no more than 2 hooded) and 15 coot. WDNR is proposing to increase the snow goose hunting days from 92 to an allowed maximum of 107.
  • WDNR is currently taking input for season structure and opening dates. 2018 saw the north and south duck zones opening at the same time with good reviews from the waterfowling community surveyed. Statewide meetings will be scheduled by WDNR in March (11-15th) to gather input on season structure and final bag limits. If you cannot attend these meetings in your area, contact Taylor Finger, Migratory Waterfowl Specialist at WDNR at Taylor.finger@wisconsin.gov for your input. The WDNR Board will be finalizing the Waterfowl season structure at their April 10th Board meeting.

We also have been meeting with local legislators and conservation groups in regard to the proposed Governor’s budget, which we understand will include several modest license fee and stamp fee increases. Some of our stamp fees, like our Waterfowl Stamp, have not been increased for over 20 years. The State Waterfowl Stamp funds are earmarked specifically for habitat improvement and have not been increased since 1997. As you might expect, the cost for habitat improvement has increased more than double over the last 15 years. Contractor costs for earth moving equipment, excavators and fill material has increased dramatically, so fewer and fewer projects can be done each year. This equates to less habitat and less waterfowl on the landscape.

When asked several years ago, WWA’s members were very supportive of stamp fee increases, with over 70% in favor of an increase. It looks like this may finally come to fruition in the governors budget this year. Most legislators I have talked with support the increases because of sportsmen and women’s interests!

WWA’s mission is to improve wetland habitat for our wildfowl, education and supporting the waterfowl hunters. We can only do that with your help at our fundraising events around the state. With every dollar we raise, we are able to leverage $2-3 for habitat work. Please help us to continue to complete this important work in Wisconsin by attending one of our events or donating over the course of the year.

Many donation opportunities are available other than attending an event (and some of them won’t cost you a cent!):

Volunteer! Volunteer to help a Chapter in your area or start a new Chapter in your area. WWA Staff are available to help.

I know winter will be gone soon, it can only hold on so long. I hope you are able to get out and support WWA, and, as always, a huge thank you for your continued support in the past – we can’t do it without you.