Wondering what I have been up to in the habitat world? Periodically we post some project updates on our Facebook page which can help to keep you in the loop, but for a little more detail on what is in store for us this summer look no further than this summer project update!

I recently helped out Wisconsin Wetlands Association with a landowner workshop on helping landowners get info on managing and identify how to proceed with wetland restorations. This was a great workshop and if any come to your area, I'd suggest attending one.

This workshop held on June 13th  trained more than 30 landowners in Door County how to learn about and care for their wetlands.  Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Wetlands Association

By late June in Wisconsin the grass is taller than me, the mosquitoes are buzzing and the hot and humid air is more prevalent. This is about the time I start to wonder what I'm doing out here, knee deep in water. Well, most surveys have been completed by this time and I can tell you we are on our way to a successful restoration season. As soon as nesting season for grassland birds finishes up, I will be heading to Portage County where WWA will be completing three projects, one after the other, all within a 3-mile radius of each other.  

Then, if the water ever gets down to normal summer levels we will be in the New London and Pulaski areas for two additional projects. Also, I can't forget to mention, we will be doing some additional work with our partners who received funding at the Mequon Nature Preserve.   If you have not yet seen this 300+ acre preserve, plan to stop by, it's always open and the water and every wetland you see on the landscape is a result of the work completed by WWA!   

Mequon Nature Preserve Restoration Site Completed by WWA

Come winter I should be in Fond du Lac and Manitowoc Counties for some cold weather projects. Don't worry, it has not been all planning, this month we finished a small wetland and a 30 acre grassland restoration in Brown County. Located in an area with numerous wetlands this grassland will be a huge benefit for nesting and reproduction.   

Peter Ziegler, Project Director - wwawetlands@gmail.com  

As I mentioned, summer will fly by us, and so now is the time to check out your hunting gear for this fall. Check the strings on the decoys. Make sure the anchors are tied securely and paint the bald spots on the decoys while you're at it.  Sound like a lot of work? Instead, why not attend one of our upcoming events and try and win the latest and greatest Rig'Em Right decoy packages we have put together for our fall banquets. We have the Mega Jerk kit Puddlers package, Long Line Diver package, Early Season Teal package and the Floating Goose decoy package. Just $5 will get you in on these very useful decoy rig raffles. Then, increase your take this season and prepare your game for the freezer with the Cabela's Vacuum Sealer Food Prep Package we've highlighted in past newsletters, which you can win at every WWA banquet this fall.

I know you have heard it a million times before: get out and shoot that shotgun before the season starts. Well, add one more time to that list, because it is so very true. I have shot in our WWA Sporting Clay events for several years now and my kill ratio has increased immensely since I started this. With my schedule of events in the fall, I found little time to practice this on my own. In other words, I failed to take my own advice. My shooting stunk, just ask my hunting partners and dog. At times I found the hunt frustrating and lacking in enjoyment because of my poor shooting. When the days afield are limited, enjoyment and relaxation are what I seek and that is hard to find when you're pressing to make that next shot count. I know we hunt not for the bag but the fun of it, but it is hard to have fun when you string 30 misses together! Success comes with practice and so does the taste of roast duck. We have three WWA Sporting Clay events left this summer, so check out the website for the time and place near you. If you can't make our shoots please find time on your own to get some range time in. Do it for the resource so we don't pile up all those cripples. You will enjoy your outdoor adventure more and so will your 4-legged hunting partner. That is this month's tip for enjoying the outdoors more. Do it for the dog, the resource and your sense of self satisfaction. That's enough of the soap box. Now where are my shells and shooting vest.

Have a happy and safe 4th!

Tom Seibert - Regional Director - 414.750.8260 or

Great news! The 2016 calendars have been printed & we are in the process of shipping them out to our sellers across the state! Thanks again to the tireless efforts of the board-directors on the Calendar Committee (Al Klug, Randy Helbach, and Rob Monette) for putting together a pretty amazing new calendar!  

As you may recall, we'll have an entirely new program this year - featuring a limited production run of just 4,000 pieces, with improved odds of winning at 1 in 11 or better, and drawings that will be held on the 2nd Monday of each month, featuring the same exciting combination of firearms, Mathew's bows, Parker crossbows, gift cards, WWA apparel, and more - that have made this calendar raffle one to be imitated by others. All of this for the just $20, the same price as when we started this program, six calendars ago - back in 2009!

Keep an eye out for the announcement regarding the start of sales within the next week or so - it's our goal, with the changes made, and a "limited edition" to sell out of this Calendar raffle, well before Christmas, this year.

MADISON -- The 2015 Wisconsin spring waterfowl breeding population survey indicates quality waterfowl production, despite dry conditions experienced during the survey. For all species, population counts showed no significant change from estimates compared to last year.

This survey information, along with two other primary sources of information regarding yearly waterfowl breeding conditions, is used to determine the fall season structure for Wisconsin. The full survey report can be found by searching the Department of Natural Resources website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords "waterfowl management."

With considerable precipitation in May, wetland conditions improved just in time for brood rearing, and Wisconsin is expected to provide good duck production in 2015.

"In 2015, spring weather came much earlier than the previous two years, which is normally a good sign for breeding waterfowl," said Kent Van Horn, DNR waterfowl biologist. "A large proportion of ducks harvested in Wisconsin are raised in Wisconsin, although there are differences among species."