Your waterfowl association enters January with many "Irons in the fire". Some of the highlights during this month:

• We'll finalize our works of 2012 - with the completion of the Conservation Calendar raffle, as those stubs and proceeds come in... please get those sales wrapped up, and your materials turned in. The Calendar is our single biggest opportunity to improve our financial position for 2012. (remember our first drawing for 2013 is Tuesday the 15th!) WWA enjoyed the addition of two new Wetland Life Members in December, as well as several other year-end contributions. During this month, we'll also completing the budget/planning process for 2013.
• Our chapter volunteer leaders will vote in new members of our Board of Directors, who will have their first meeting the night before the Annual Meeting - in Waupaca, on January 26th. If you'd like to join us, please consider registering for all the information and fun, today! The Annual Meeting is OPEN to any Member, not just those who have been a volunteer or chapter worker currently, or previously. This year has a special feature in the screening of the Emmy award winning film: Greenfire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time. Please feel free to join us for the day's sessions, and/or for the Hunter's Night Out dinner event, to follow. Remember, if you need a room from the block we've reserved, for either Friday before, or Saturday night after, the meeting - the deadline is TODAY, January 4th.
• WWA will realize some major grant funding for the long-term Abrams project - with the fulfillment of the Lumberjack RC&D monies, and the expected completion of the long process of Stewardship grant funding coming before month's end, as well. Unfortunately, we placed 4th of 7 in the SportDOG grant-voting contest, so we're out of the money on that opportunity. On a more positive note, we just received word of another $20,000 in project grant funding, that Peter Ziegler successfully applied for, as well. See his update from the field - later in this newsletter.

Today we've got numerous topics for you to enjoy - please take a moment to review them all.

See you on the water...

Don Kirby

Executive Director 

While many of us were still walking around in our slippers, wading through old bows and ribbon, and wondering if it was worth heading out to do some post-holiday shopping, WWA Project Director Peter Ziegler was hard at work, in the fresh snow, making sure we were able to make use of some mitigation monies that had to be used on projects completed before the end of 2012. This project took place on the 40 acre addition to WWA's original Abrams holdings, that was donated to the Association by a local family in 2011. It was their desire that it be protected forever, and now we've been able to go one step better, and return the land to the wetland it was, before modern agricultural efforts tried to improve the open field for crops. Here's some pictures of the nifty scrape and other works that were completed last week, as well as Peter's field notes from the job. Enjoy!

Progress continued at WWA's Abrams property during the last week of December 2012. The fresh coat of snow was disturbed early one morning as we tore into the unfrozen ground to begin the restoration and enhancement of the wetland habitat. The area of pharagmites (invasive grass) was removed and replaced with a shallow depression.   This area is anticipated, at a minimum, to hold seasonal water for migration and breeding waterfowl.  

With more permanent water bodies nearby and nesting cover adjacent to the scrape area, odds are good we can get some breeding waterfowl at the site. At the end of the fields, which were separated by an overgrown ditch, we plugged the ditch. This will allow the water in the soil to stay longer, thereby increasing the period of open water in the scrape and enhancing the wetland vegetation that has started to come back naturally along this area.  

This small wetland habitat project targeted this area to increase the diversity of habitat at the site and control invasive species. This project could not have been completed without the funding help from Legacy Bogs.

Peter Ziegler - Project Director - wwawetlands@gmail.com 

A Happy New Year to all of you. I'm very excited about all our 2013 banquets have to offer you this year; they will feature some of your favorites and some new items. We have tested several new raffles out and they were definitely banquet attendee approved. We also have several new Rig'em Right raffles featuring some of their newest products filled with some great decoys that many of you don't have, but wish you did. There will be more of that in newsletters to come. I like being a bit of a tease.

If you would like another chance for a sneak preview, plan on attending our Annual State Meeting. It is the 26th of January in Waupaca. This convention is open to all members of WWA, you don't need to be a committee member to attend, but if you would like to attend, please check with your local chapter and see if you can car pool with one of them. This is an excellent opportunity to see what the organization does with your contributions. Please feel free to contact me for more information or to find a carpool buddy.

We are in the planning stages for several events coming this spring and it has become very clear that many guns are going to be in limited supply and quite costly. Please be assured that WWA will continue to bring you the best and the highest quality guns you will see at any banquet. We want your banquet experience to be an enjoyable event and not just a wallet emptying one as some events have become. I promise that you will continue to see many top notch games and raffle prizes here. Check in with the following newsletters where I will give you a heads up on the great things to come in 2013. I don't want anyone to suffer any nasty surprises at a WWA event. I want to thank you now for your continued participation. Just one more tease. This year's State Dream Hunt is just that a dream come true. You'll have to attend the Annual Meeting or read next month's newsletter for the particulars.

I hope to see you soon at an event near you,  

Plus, check out our Events page on our website for all upcoming WWA events.  Plus, here are some key dates to remember: 

• January 10 - last day for Calendar sellers to have their stubs in, to Kelcy at the Wales office
• January 15 - first drawing of winners for the 2013 Conservation Calendar, in Oshkosh - 6pm
• January 26 - State Meeting, with screening of Greenfire, and Hunter's Night Out - Waupaca - join us - see above!
• February 3 - Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl?    
• February 23 - Chilton event - join us!
• March 2 - Rock County event - join us!
• March 6-10 - Milwaukee J/S Sport Show: we're seeking booth volunteers - contact Tom S.
• March 16-17 - The Wisconsin Waterfowl Hunter's Conference - Wausau: WWA will be present

We are excited to announce the winner of our 2012 Minnesota "Choose Your Own Adventure" Dream Hunt Raffle with Jonny P!

Drawn on December 18th, 2012, from the 20 entrants in this once-in-a-lifetime hunt opportunity, Jim Rogers of Appleton, WI, who won entry at our Waupaca FA picnic, was the lucky winner. Mr. Rogers now has the option of choosing between the following three hunt options courtesy of Outdoors with Jonny P.:

• Trip Option #1: A two-hunter black bear hunt - during week 2 of MN's bear season. Includes: 7 day hunt over baits - semi-guided - in 2013 or 2014. Winner must draw a hunt, but it is much easier than WI, to draw. 7 night lodging provided at West Wind Resort on Upper Red Lake or   
• Trip Option #2: A four-person ice fishing trip in a sleeper shack - crappie/walleye/trophy pike on Upper Red Lake, in February of 2013. Includes: 3 days/3 nights, a "party night" of food & drink at West Wind Resort or   
• Trip Option #3: A two-person walleye/trophy pike fishing trip to be taken in the months of July or August 2013. Includes: 4 days/4 nights, starting out with 1.5 days of guided fishing with Jonny P. Lodging, with boat & motor if needed, provided at West Wind Resort up Upper Red Lake 

Congratulations to Mr. Rogers and all the Minnesota Adventure Dream Hunt entrants who won entry (and fantastic firearms) through their local banquets.  We greatly appreciate your support of our organization!  Also a great thanks goes out to Outdoors with Jonny P for partnering with WWA to offer this amazing hunt opportunity.

Also drawn on December 18, 2012 was the winner of our Green Bay Ice Fishing Adventure with Trio Charters. From the pool of fifteen entrants, John Regan of Valders, WI was the lucky winner - congratulations, Mr. Regan!

Sponsor Spotlight - The Nutro Company

All of us at WWA are incredibly proud to announce the return of one of our most important corporate sponsors - The Nutro Company! Every year brings change, and sometimes great players come and go. For WWA, some of most important players are the group of companies that make up our team of sponsor-partners. As a part of their Gold Level state sponsorship for 2013, you'll again get to interact one-on-one, with true dog-nutrition experts, at most of our Member outreach events - and have a chance to go home with a year's supply of top-quality dog food. If you've been to any of our fund-raising events, you've almost certainly seen Nutro sample products, or talked to one of the "Nutro Guys", or seen their marquee auction items in silent or live auctions. The level of hands-on support that WWA receives from Nutro is very unique - and yet this typifies their unique company. Their scientifically designed pet foods are the sort of product you can share with your canine family members with complete confidence - knowing that you're choosing the very best in healthy balance for your animals. Please reach out and thank a Nutro representative the next time you're at one of our events, and check out their amazing array of products at their website: nutro.com

About The Nutro Company
The Nutro Company is a leading manufacturer of natural* pet food products sold exclusively at pet specialty stores. The company has been making "The World's Best Pet Food" for more than 80 years and is dedicated to quality, excellence and innovation in dog and cat nutrition offering healthful formulas for every pet's life stage, activity level and size. The Nutro Company's family of brands includes NUTRO® MAX®, NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® and NUTRO® ULTRA™ pet food brands in addition to the GREENIES® brands which include the U.S. leader in pet specialty dental chews, GREENIES® PILL POCKETS® treats and GREENIES® JointCare treats. For more information, please visit www.nutro.com and www.greenies.com

On Friday, December 14th, Kaleb Santy's  Aquaculture and Water Ecology class from Oconto Falls High School assisted several WWA Green Bay Chapter members in installing the fish weirs (grates) on the newly constructed water control structures at Abrams. In addition to the hands-on work, the class was presented information on numerous topics at the site:

• The Northern Pike spawning habitat project: Travis Buckley (Oconto Co. LCD tech)
• Northern Pike spawning activities: Tami Paoli (WDNR Fisheries Biologist)
• Local regulatory issues: Mike Stahl (Conservation Warden)
• Abrams development plan: Eric Urben, GB WWA Chapter Chair

Following the event, Mr. Santy commented, "I could not have scripted out a better day. Everything was great and I sure hope all of the speakers understand how profound an impact they had on the students that day."

Click here for more information on WWA's long-term Abrams Property Project 

Farm Bill Extension Falls Short

Provided by Avia Glaser, Legislative Representative - NWF

Cutting, delaying key conservation programs puts native grasslands and other vital habitat at risk

Washington, DC (January 2, 2013) - After failing to pass a five year Farm Bill this past year, Congress has extended the 2008 Farm Bill for nine months as part of the fiscal crisis deal. In addition to preventing new farmers from enrolling in the Conservation Stewardship Program, the extension lacks funding for critical renewable energy programs and delays the implementation of sodsaver, a policy that would reduce federal subsidies for farmers who convert native grassland into cropland.

Julie Sibbing, Director of Agriculture and Forestry Programs for the National Wildlife Federation, had this to say in response:

"It is disappointing that Congress was unable to pass a five year Farm Bill in time. Passing a nine month extension delays much needed reforms and cuts a key incentive program for farmers wanting to implement conservation measures on their land. America's farmers, taxpayers and wildlife deserve more than this Band-Aid fix.

"By delaying the implementation of sodsaver, Congress is allowing thousands more grassland acres to be converted for short term gain, destroying vital habitat for grassland birds and other wildlife.

"We hope the new Congress is able to come together later this year to pass a Farm Bill that meets the needs of farmers, is fair to all taxpayers, and provides protections for soil, water, wildlife and habitat for the benefit of all Americans."

For more National Wildlife Federation news visit www.nwf.org/news 

The National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.

For some early insights from the NWF's review of the extension:

More Americans hunted, fished and watched wildlife in 2011 than five years earlier, according to final statistics released in December by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"This is good news for our lifestyles and our economy," said Dan Ashe, director of the service.

The results are from the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, an outdoor participation survey the agency has conducted since 1955. The survey results are released every five years.

Ashe called the survey the "nation's definitive database and information source concerning participation and purchases associated with hunting, fishing and other forms of wildlife-associated recreation."

Preliminary 2011 numbers were released in August and were the first in a decade to show an increase in hunters and anglers.

According to the final report, more than 90 million U.S. residents age 16 and older participated in some form of wildlife-related recreation in 2011, a 3% increase from 2006.

The increase primarily was among those who fished (up 11% from 2006) and hunted (up 9%).

Wildlife recreationists spent $144.7 billion on their activities in 2011, equal to 1% of the gross domestic product.

Of the total amount spent, $49.5 billion was trip-related, $70.4 billion was spent on equipment and $24.8 billion was spent on other items such as licenses and land leasing and ownership.

The number of sportspersons rose from 33.9 million in 2006 to 37.4 million in 2011.

The data show that 33.1 million people fished, 13.7 million hunted and 71.8 million participated in at least one type of wildlife-watching activity such as observing, feeding and photographing wildlife.

The wildlife-watching category represented about a 1% increase from 2006.

The number is high not only because it includes the widest array of interests and user groups, but also because the activity can take place at home.

Please Support Our 2012 Statewide Sponsors & Donors

Kolpin - The Leader In All-Terrain Innovation

Nutro Natural Pet Foods

FA Brand - True Innovation

Gear The Way You'd Design It®

Tanglefree Waterfowl Products

Serious Products For People Who Are Serious About The Outdoors

Mathews Solocam - Catch Us If You Can

Milwaukee Tool

Imagine. Innovate. Integrate.

Your Upper Red Lake Area Guide

West Wind Resort on Upper Red Lake, MN

DyeSport - Clothing & Uniforms

Vortex Optics

Paramount Cap Manufacturing

Trusted Gear Since 1938

 State Level Donors

Everything for the Great Outdoors & More

Waterfowl, Duck, Goose & Hunting Accessories

von Stiehl Winery - Algoma, WI

Often Imitated...Never Duplicated!

Primos Hunting

Innovators In Waterfowl Hunting

Wild Wings Collection

Thank You WWA Life Members!

• Dale Arenz

• Les Didier
• Brian Hadler
• David R. VanLanen
• John Wetzel
• Scott Zoellick
• Cal Barstow
• Terry G. Doughty
• Bill Peebles
• Jim Weix
• Leonard & Arleen Wurman
• Jeff Nania
• John Holmes
• Rob Monette
• Guy McFarren
• John Regan
• Jerry Burns
• Jerry Gadamus
• Don Moore
• Arthur Anderson
• Don Kloetzke
• Buzz Balzer
• David Uihlein, Sr.
• Robert Kieckhefer
• Mark Drollinger
• Jason Alvarado
• Scott Hedin
• Austin Wheaton
• Tom Seibert
• Larry Kirby
• Sharon Kirby
• Keith A. Pamperin
• Lance Voeltner

For information on how to support WWA's habitat, education and legislative programs by becoming a Life Member please visit our website or email us. All membership contributions to WWA are tax deductible as permitted by law.