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Thanks for taking a moment out of your busy day to review the activities of your Association. November is typically a quieter month for WWA, as many of our members and volunteers are out in the field, enjoying another waterfowl hunt of one type or another, or taking advantage of the whitetail rutting activity, or getting ready for the upcoming holiday seasons. |
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Even I'm getting out a little bit, which Jake, my lab, appreciates very much!
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This month would appear to be a little busier than some Novembers, however, as we've got all of these activities, upcoming:
- This Wednesday, I'll join with the other representatives of the WDNR Migratory Bird committee, during our annual mid-fall gathering. This year's agenda is extra-full, due to the preparations for next year's season setting structure, already on the docket. Afterwards, Tom Seibert & I will meet to begin the first steps in planning WWA's budget for 2016, that afternoon.
- Sunday the 15th will be a busy "work day", as we have the next Conservation Calendar drawing in Oshkosh, as well as the next conference call for the WWA board of directors. Remember, this month begins the process for new director nominations, as well - see that article, below.
- Thursday the 19th will bring a new level of excitement for the month, as we've build a new, "quicky" event around
 the annual drawing of the State Hunt! If you missed the promo for the "Ducks Before Bucks" event - check it out here - and plan to join us, for a great way to celebrate the fall seasons, before you head out for "deer camp" or your next adventure! Register in advance for a great discount! - All of these will be on-going as Tom and I scramble to support the volunteer teams hosting the final two banquet events of 2015 - in Manitowoc and Madison, BOTH slated for Thursday, December 10th! You can plan to have a great time with WWA before Christmas, whether you live north or south of Lake Winnebago!
Anyhow, there's a quick preview of the month. There's a boat-load of goodies in this newsletter, so I'll keep this introduction short. Thanks for all of your interest and support of WWA.
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Peter's been terrifically busy, working to finish up several projects before the fall turns to winter, but he did offer a quick update via cell phone to Don for your review:
On Monday, October 26th, I joined with Tim Lehman & members of the Northern Wetlands Chapter, as they hosted a group from the Northland Pines charter school in Eagle River, to complete a wild rice seeding restoration project in the national forest.
Unlike the balmy conditions we have this week, the students endured 40 degree temperatures and a steady rain all morning, while doing the seeding, but they persevered and did a great job.
Wild rice seeding like this is one of the best ways for WWA to have project work, in the far northern reaches of the state, and it's great we were able to continue this work for another year.
Peter Ziegler, Project Director - wwawetlands@gmail.com
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Friday, October 2nd, found WWA President, Bruce Urben and I hurrying across the state in the pre-dawn hours, to arrive at Goose Island park before shooting light. Not for the opener on the river, which was the next day, but instead, for another day of training with the twelve members of this year's warden recruit class.
Once there, we were joined by WWA - Duckweed Chapter (Fountain City) leader Keith Braunreiter, and more than another dozen volunteers, and as many warden-mentors, as the recruits were lead through seven different scenario stations - where they had to demonstrate the waterfowl related knowledge they'd been working on, all week, as well as applying their law enforcement training, in real-life situations. This time, even as the "good guy", in our scenario (yeah, I'm the "bad guy") Bruce got "pinched" on a violation - a first for him in four years of acting! Bruce and I both agree - it is great to be a part of the critical learning for these new partners in conservation, helping them protect our resources, and keep themselves safe, in potentially dangerous situations.
As has been the tradition for many years, WWA awarded a set of Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America, to the recruit who recorded the best score on their final examination, held prior to the "field day" which we participated in. This year's winner is: Matt Koshollek, from Stoughton, Wisconsin. He graduated from UW-Oshkosh, and has been working with the DNR since 2012 in law enforcement. At the end of his field training he'll be stationed in Drummond, in Bayfield County. Its no surprise Matt did well on the test, and this part of his training. He shared with us that he grew up duck hunting on Lake Puckaway and the Yahara River, chasing late season mallards and divers. He credits his father's influence; instilling waterfowl ID at a very young age, and teaching him to be an ethical hunter, for where he is, today.
Congrats to Matt, and good luck to all of this year's recruit class, as they transition from training, into their new stations, over the coming months. We're sure you'll make us all proud!
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Press Release from Cellcom:
Abrams, WI (October 27, 2015) - Wisconsin Waterfowl Association received a $1250 Green Gift from Cellcom today at a presentation at their Abrams site. The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association works to further restoration and conservation of the state's waterfowl and wetland resources and implement education for Wisconsin youth that heighten awareness about these resources. The group continues work on its Abrams property, a 190-acre area that is open to the public for hunting and wildlife viewing and includes a number of accessible features for hunters with disabilities. The Green Gift from Cellcom will support the construction of a new accessible blinds with ramps.
"The opportunity to have a large property open to the public, which features access for differently-abled persons, within a short drive of a large metropolitan area, is very unique," said Don Kirby, executive director of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. "The Abrams property is already used by a variety of students and community members, and wheelchair accessible trails provide additional opportunities for those who may not get to explore the outdoors otherwise."
A total of $34,675 was given out to 31 green organizations in Cellcom's service area through the 2015 Green Gifts program.
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Thanks to everyone selling, and purchasing, our 2016 calendars. Here is a list of the locations we know of where you can pick up this amazing raffle opportunity: |
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We are full swing into duck season now and most would say that the best is yet to come as November brings the greatest migration of waterfowl to their southern wintering grounds. While this should be the time to get out and enjoy the plethora of ducks, it is also the time to be sure safety is the greatest priority for all duck hunters.
November in Wisconsin brings freezing temps, blustery wind chills, ice and precipitation in the form of snow and sleet. All of these can be life threatening if waterfowlers are not prepared. |
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"Armistice Day" by Michael Sieve
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Many of us remember reading about Armistice Day, November 11, 1940 (no, I was not there to experience it, contrary to what my sons think). Thousands of hunters gathered to hunt ducks on the upper Mississippi, in the Great Plains and upper Midwest. The day started with blue skies and balmy 55 degree temps. This weather didn't last long, though, as a storm was brewing in the Pacific Northwest with hurricane force winds. Around noon the temps began to fall and a blizzard began making its way east. Earlier in the day, hunters began to experience the "Great Migration", with waterfowl gathering in huge concentrations ahead of the storm! Many hunters stayed later in their blinds to take their limit of birds. By mid afternoon, the wind, cold and snow arrived with temps falling as low as minus 55 degrees (yes over a 100 degree swing)! Hundreds of hunters could not make it home from their blinds on the water that night. Over 50 hunters were found dead by rescuers the next day and hundreds were treated for exposure and rescued during the night. There were numerous accounts of the perils hunters had to go through that night just to stay alive.
While November can bring great numbers of waterfowl to the waters of the state, please be sure you use caution, check the weather forecasts (thank goodness technology has given us the ability to forecast well into the future and waterfowling clothing is now state of the art) and prepare for the worst while you are on the water. Safety should be priority number one so we all make it home after all of our hunts!
Enjoy the weather, enjoy the waterfowling opportunities in Wisconsin and best of luck in your upcoming hunting adventures.
Bruce Urben, WWA President
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 We need your help! Do you know of a qualified candidate that you feel would well represent your Wisconsin Waterfowl Association? WWA is currently seeking nominations for our Board of Director's 2016 elections and we need your input. Please take a few minutes to read through the information on our election process and nominate yourself or a qualified friend or associate. Please note, all nominations must be submitted by 8:00am on Monday November 9, 2015 to be considered.
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Thanks to all of you for the continued success of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. I have heard from quite a few of our members that they have had a wonderful hunting season. Goose sausage and jerky is being processed by many; roast, grilled breaded and baked duck is on dinner plates of many of our fellow hunters. I hope that all of you get a chance to enjoy the Fall Migration as a hunter or bird watcher. It is because of our total efforts to protect and restore nature's habitats that we have an abundance of resources to enjoy.
Check our calendar for upcoming events as we have a few upcoming yet. Be sure to plan your holiday shopping around our Lakeshore/Manitowoc and Madison chapter events, both scheduled for December 10th, as they're always brimming with some pretty amazing gift options, including some very fine firearms, for those outdoors minded folks (or yourself) on your list!
Speaking of fine prizes, this is the time each year I ask for suggestions on merchandise and prizes for our banquets. We are also looking for a trip for our statewide hunt raffle. If you have recently hunted with a guide or Outfitter that supplied you with a great adventure, and this person might be willing to donate all or part of a hunt of a lifetime to us in exchange in advertising at each of our events, please hook us up with them. We have tapped many of our resources over the years and would like to offer you new adventures and give new outfitters the chance to tap into our hunting market. This goes for retailers and manufacturers of fine products that caters to our attendees as well. Help me make our banquets even better with the items you would like to see and win.
Our calendar sales are going good, so get yours now and help us by getting your hunting buddies involved. Let us know if you would like to take a half dozen to deer camp and sell them to your crew for us. Contact our office and we will try our best and get them to you. This is the year to sell this calendar out. We have reduced the total available, increased your odds to win, and kept the quality and value of the prizes the same. Help us make our goal of selling all 4000 calendars. All proceeds are used for habitat here in Wisconsin. LOCAL BUCKS FOR LOCAL DUCKS!!!
Tom Seibert - Regional Director - tseibert1@wi.rr.com; 414.750.8260
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While our fall events have wrapped up for the year, we do still have some great late 2015/early 2016 winter events to mark on your calendars!
As always, please check our Events link on our website for all of our upcoming WWA events.
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While WWA's Duckweed/Fountain City area chapter has been on a bit of a hiatus as far as their banquet event is concerned, they have stayed active in their community, this year hosting their 15th(!) youth waterfowl hunt. Chapter volunteer Keith Braunreiter reported on this successful outreach event:
We have been doing the youth waterfowl hunt for 15 years. In our first year we had just one child and last year we had 12. We're trying to give kids a full, rounded experience of waterfowl hunting.
We have calls for the kids that don't have calls, we do some calling instruction if they would like to learn. We teach them how to clean the ducks and we talk about decoy setups.
We talk about dog safety and caring for your retriever. And we get them out in the mud boats to ride. We cook for all the kids on Saturday evening for them to have an opportunity to experience eating what they've shot.
This year in total the kids harvested 50 ducks and every child harvested at least one each day. This has become my favorite part of the waterfowl season. To watch the kids have so much fun in the entire process of the weekend, between having fun together playing and joking, to getting down to the seriousness of hunting and gun safety.
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Article by Matthew Martin, SW WI Chapter Volunteer
On September 20th 2015, four area youth were introduced to duck hunting by members of the Southwest Wisconsin/Prairie du Chien Chapter of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. The participants were invited out to the Duck Inn Lodge where they learned about local duck species, duck hunting methods, and gun safety. The afternoon's activities included lunch catered by Coaches' Family Restaurant, a clay pigeon shoot in a variety of duck hunting situations, and a duck hunt in the Wisconsin River bottoms. Before the hunt, each youth hunter was given a Herter'sŪ Quick Hit Timber Bag filled with hunting supplies and other goodies provided by the WWA chapter, and a Cabela's Buck Gardner Double-Reed Mallard Call donated by our Prairie du Chien Cabela's. After the hunt, one lucky youth hunter, Joshua Linder, was drawn as the winner of a Stoeger P350 12 Gauge pump shotgun which was donated by Mark Forsythe of Peoples State Bank. Special thanks to the Nate Cejka and the entire Yeomans family for hosting the event at the Duck Inn Lodge!
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Left to Right:Nate Cejka - WWA Member, Hayden Wagner - Youth Hunter, Matt Martin - WWA Member, Aaron Neisius - Youth Hunter, Joshua Linder - Youth Hunter, Maddux Cejka - Expert Guide, Jonah Linder - Youth Hunter, Mikey Pettit - Expert Helper, Mike Pettit - WWA Member.
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This event was co-sponsored by the Craig Martin Legacy Fund which was created to keep Craig's efforts with youth in the outdoors alive and well after his passing in 2012. Over the past few years this fund received generous donations from the Carolyn M And Leary E Peterson Family Foundation Inc., Steve and Angie Jones of Jones' Black Angus, Scott Yeomans of Sports World, Todd Lensing of Flyway Fowling Guide Service, and Keith and Jenny Coleman. If you would like to make a donation to the Craig Martin Legacy Fund contact Matt Martin at 608-412-1249. Other outdoor related youth organizations needing support can also contact Matt at the same number.
The Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of the WWA would like to thank all Sponsors, Donors, and past banquet attendees for making events like this possible. Wisconsin Waterfowl Association - Dedicated to the conservation of Wisconsin's Waterfowl and Wetland Resources.
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Joshua Linder with his new shotgun donated by Mark Forsythe of People's State Bank
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Article by Bruce Urben, WWA President
Eight young men and women met at the Pittsfield Trap Club in Brown County on Friday, October 9th to attend the 7th annual "Learn to Hunt" Waterfowl Program presented by the Green Bay Chapter of WWA. 12 expert waterfowl mentors were also on hand to provide hands-on training and advice to each student. This year's student pool ranged from 11 years of age to 20!
Friday evening commenced with a classroom session on safety, firearms, waterfowl identification and field practices by Veteran Hunter Safety Instructor Jack VanSistine who was assisted by retired Conservation warden Tom Hansen. DNR Warden Supervisor George Protogere was present and presented the students with information about laws, regulations and hunting ethics. Following the classroom presentation the students were able to practice their shotgun skills on the trap range in positions they would encounter on the next morning's hunt. Hundreds of rounds of ammo were spent until each student was comfortable with their firearm.
Very early Saturday morning each student met with their mentor when they were transported to their hunting destinations which ranged fr om blind boats on the west shore of Green Bay in the Sensiba Wildlife area, to ground blinds, to area corn fields in layout blinds. All students met back at the Trap Club at noon to share their experiences, enjoy a picnic lunch, receive their "Learn to Hunt" certificates, observe how to properly clean their gun and how to process their waterfowl for eating. All students enjoyed their hunt and had opportunity to harvest waterfowl. All totaled, both geese and ducks were harvested.
Special thanks to Scheels Sports for their donation of duck calls and face paint, Wisconsin DNR for certificates and ammo, Jack VanSistine for Hunter Education presentation, Kay Distributing for their donation of soft drinks, Pittsfield Trap Club for the use of their facility and all of the Green Bay Chapter Board members who donated food and time as mentors along with their hunting partners to making this program possible.
This program is provided at no cost to those participating. If interested in next years Program contact Bruce Urben at 920-660-2773.
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Cabela's is offering all members of Wisconsin Waterfowl Association an amazing opportunity to save money with their employee discount!
This is an in-store offer only and requires presentation of the barcode, below. Cabela's will honor a printed version or presentation of the barcode on a smartphone. Show and save! See complete details and exclusions attached.
This offer is good Friday, Nov. 13 - Sunday, Nov. 15.
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With hunting seasons underway, many hunters will take to the field this fall in specialized gear and equipment. Unknowingly, boots, trailers, even decoys can often harbor invasive species, spread to new places and destroy wildlife habitat. Before and after each trip, don't forget to Clean Drain and Dry.
Foreign invaders of many kinds, including plants, animals and diseases are becoming part of our outdoor experience. They damage equipment, disrupt ecosystems, alter wildlife habitat and are a serious threat to public access.
Hunters often provide the first line of defense in helping to identify invasive species and prevent their spread. As stewards, they play a critical role in protecting the resource and local communities.
CLEAN all boats, motors, trailers and equipment. Remove plants/vegetation, seeds, mud, mussels/snails and other material before leaving any water, trail or field access. Be sure to check your boots, dogs, decoys, and vehicle for weeds.
DRAIN all water from boats, floats, bilges and motors. Remove drain plugs and open all water draining devices. Note: many states and provinces require such steps before leaving the access and traveling.
DRY all gear and equipment for at least five days before going to other waters or landings, or spray and rinse it with high-pressure and/or hot water.
The National Clean Drain Dry Initiative works to provide marketing, outreach and educational services for consistent invasive species messaging focused on best management prevention. For more information visit: www.CleanDrainDry.org
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Wisconsin DNR is recruiting two half-time LTE positions, which will preferably be filled by one person. One position will serve as a NAWCA biologist who will be implementing small-scale wetland and grassland restoration projects on private lands in northwest Wisconsin. WDNR is seeking someone who preferably has some experience with wetland restoration/management and will be motivated to independently work with private land owners. The second position will serve as a wildlife technician with the St. Croix area field crew. These positions will provide valuable career building experience in the wildlife habitat management field. The deadline to apply is November 6. Click on the positions below for the full job announcements.
LTE - WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
LTE - WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN
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Please Support Our Statewide Sponsors & Donors
Gold Level Sponsors
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Nutro Natural Pet Foods
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Silver Level Sponsors
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Gear The Way You'd Design ItŪ
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Mathews Solocam -
Catch Us If You Can
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 | | Milwaukee Tool |
 | | L.W. Meyer, Inc. / Milwaukee Tool |
 | | Parker Bows |
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Vortex Optics -
The Force of Optics
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Bronze Level Sponsors 
State Level Sponsors
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Imagine. Innovate. Integrate.
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DyeSport - Clothing & Uniforms
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Final Approach Brand
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Threads Colors & Creations  | |
Serious Products For People Who Are Serious About the Outdoors
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 | | Wisconsin Duck Hunting |
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Winery
Door County, WI
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Vineyard & Winery Green Bay, WI
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Porters Handcrafted Decoys State Level Donors  | | Epic Waterfowl - Making Wings Lock by the Flock |
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von Stiehl Winery - Algoma, WI
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Realism That Gets Results
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Longleaf Camo -
Only Nature Does It Better
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Innovators In Waterfowl Hunting
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Wild Wings Collection
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The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission focuses on wetland and upland habitat restoration, youth and adult environmental education and environmental- and hunter-based legislation.
Sincerely,
Don Kirby Executive Director Wisconsin Waterfowl Association PO Box 427 Wales, Wisconsin 53183 wwainfo@centurytel.net800-524-8460
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Thank you to everyone who purchased our 2015 WWA/ Pheasants Forever Conservation Calendar! This raffle, again, turned into an immensely successful fundraiser for our organization and raised almost $20,000 for our mission of habitat, education and legislation in the state of Wisconsin.
Our tenth 2015 drawing was held on October 15, 2015 at Stadium Bar in Oshkosh, WI and results are now posted online. Results can also be obtained by request via email at wwainfo@centurytel.net or by calling (262) 968-1722 or writing to PO Box 427, Wales, WI 53183.
Congratulations to all who won prizes in last month's drawings and good luck to everyone entered for the remainder of 2015!
Raffle prizes for each month will be drawn on the 15th date of that month and all drawings will be held at Stadium Bar, 301 Knapp Street, Oshkosh, WI 54902 at 6:00 p.m. The drawing is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend and watch the calendar drawings each month.
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 Thank You WWA Life Members!
Life Sponsor Wetland Life Member
- Tom Lutes
- Patrick Smith
- Erich Pitz
Life Members - Raymond Petersen
- Bruce Urben
- 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
- Benjamin Larson
- Randy Helback
- Don Kirby
- Robert Swanson
- Michael Alaimo
Legacy Life Members: Gone, but Not Forgotten 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. |
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In Memoriam
Thanks to all those that have cherished the memory of a loved one by donating in memoriam to the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. Those recently memorialized were:
Mr. Stephan Rogge
Donors: Bob & Helen Harold, Law Offices of O'Flaherty Heim Egan & Birnbaum Ltd, La Crosse County Bar Association
Mr. Leroy Depies
Donors: Greg & Kris Rausch, Dave & Jen Bublitz, Dwight & Kim Campnell, Phil & Michelle Neary, Tim & Jodi Wade, Dennis Guttmann, Jim & Liz Freck, Brian & Lisa Hutchinson
Mr. Bob Kuehl
Donors: Walter H. Drew, Mrs. Penny Kuehl, Donald & Ruth Purdy
Mr. John (Jay) DeZutel
Donors: Donna & Gary, Cindy & Marty, The Cedar Creek Chapter of WWA
Mr. Leo M. Guttmann (father of Cedar Creek chapter member Dennis Guttmann) Donors: Greg & Kris Rausch, Mike & Deb Depies, Rita Rausch, Jim & Liz Freck, Tim & Jodie Wade
Mr. Robert Barth Donors: The Service & Management Staff of Robinson Heating & Cooling - Scott Tweedale, Ed Desotell, Ben Stein, Dennis Jolly, Kevin Berg, Eric Selissen, Mike Taicher, Steve Watermolen, Brad Davister, Rick Krueger
If you'd like to consider a lasting and meaningful memorial fund contribution for that friend, hunting partner, co-worker or relative with WWA, please contact us at (800) 524-8460 or wwainfo@centurytel.net. Each contribution will offer:
- a personalized letter to the family of the deceased,
- a letter from WWA sent to the donor confirming contribution for tax purposes (address & individual donation amount must be supplied),
- the option for the donor to designate which WWA program they wish their contributions be put towards, and
- a listing in this section for the duration of one year.
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