Wisconsin Waterfowl Association
Dedicated to the Conservation of Wisconsin's Waterfowl and Wetland Resources.
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Thank You To WWA's
2016 Sponsors & Donors
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
State Level Sponsors
State Level Donors
LIFE SPONSORS
  • Dale Arenz
  • Ted Olson
  • Jack Olson
WETLAND LIFE MEMBERS
  • Tom Lutes
  • Patrick Smith
  • Erich Pitz
LIFE MEMBERS
  • Randy Hess
  • 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 Helbach
  • Don Kirby
  • Robert Swanson
  • Michael Alaimo
LEGACY LIFE MEMBERS
Gone but not forgotten
  • Les Didier
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. Robert E. Strous
Donor: Bruce Urben

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 
 
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. 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
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.  
 
To contact us call (800) 524-8460 or (262) 968-1722, email wwainfo@centurytel.net or visit our website at  www.wisducks.org        
 
Sincerely,
Don Kirby
Executive Director
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association
PO Box 427
Wales, Wisconsin 53183
wwainfo@centurytel.net
800-524-8460
MARCH 2016
Happy Leap Day!
by Don Kirby, Executive Director, 262.224.4949

Thanks for checking in with your Association. Today, we're sending out the March edition a day early, as tomorrow, Tom and I will be busy setting up the booth display for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show. If you're in that neck of the woods this week, swing by and check us out - we'll have plenty of class "A" raffles to choose from, and information about the 2016 Shoot Series, the State Hunt, and more!  

With the cooler weather returning it seems like spring might never get here, but there are signs of change coming, and not just the return of the sport show! Two weekends back, my son and I did the annual maintenance on our wood duck boxes, in northern Chippewa County, and we found that 2/3rds of them had hosted a successful hatch - our best results, ever! It makes me really glad we added a couple more boxes, to replace a pair lost 2 years ago, during spring flooding. Remember, if you've got wood duck boxes out on the landscape - prepping them for a new "family" to move in, is key! WWA has wood duck houses, and kits available for purchase - but they're terribly expensive to ship, so we normally try to arrange for a drop off with our travels, and time is becoming short. If you're interested, reach out to me, or to WWA board member, Rob Monette, in Beaver Dam - we'll see if we can arrange a hook-up. We offer ready-to-hang boxes, with cedar chips in them, for $20, or 3/$50 - a real value.

Remember, we've got public hearings this month, for the season-setting process (these used to take place in mid-summer), preceded by the WI Waterfowl Hunters Conference, and then the Spring Hearings early next month, check out information on all of them, below...

We've got plenty going on, thanks for taking a moment to review it, and for your continued support.

See you on the water...Don
2016 Conservation Congress Spring Hearings
WI Conservation Congress Logo
As has been the case the past several years, this year there are a number of important, and some controversial, questions to be discussed and voted on next month. On Monday, April 11th, please find the time to make your voice heard, and participate in this exercise of our democratic process.
Of note, there are two questions from the migratory committee:
  • #33 - asks again about whether waterfowl hunting blinds should be allowed on public lands/waters
  • #34 - asks whether the 1pm daily closure time, in place for the first 16 days of the season, at the Mead Wildlife area, should be repealed.
Beyond these two questions specifically directed at waterfowling, there are a number of questions which many sportspeople will find interesting. Check out the whole questionnaire, here, as well as the hours for the event, the location nearest to you, and other information about the process.
DNR Organizes Statewide Public Hearings
Department will gather input regarding fall waterfowl hunting season structure
 
From WI DNR Central Office, MADISON - In the next few weeks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will finalize the annual federal waterfowl structure under which states within the Mississippi Flyway may establish waterfowl hunting seasons. These federal season proposals will be the subject of a series of public meetings throughout Wisconsin in mid-March.

"The fish and wildlife service has altered its regulatory process that allows Wisconsin to decide the fall waterfowl seasons in the spring rather than in August as it has been. This new process uses previous year's data to set season structure and with the highest continental duck estimates since the service began conducting surveys 60 years ago. With favorable conditions in much of the state, fall waterfowl hunting opportunities look very promising," said Kent Van Horn, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources migratory game bird ecologist.

Public hearings regarding proposed 2016 waterfowl season structure will be held March 14-17. Feedback received from the public in recent years helped the department develop current season structure, which has been favored by most hunters. Read on for hearing locations and how to submit your comments.
President's Note: Spring?
by Bruce G. Urben, President 
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Spring is here (well, almost, if you believe the groundhog), or at least it feels like it these last few days. To some of us waterfowlers this can be a depressing time of year. Almost 7 months till duck/goose season unless, of course, you are heading west for snow geese. As waterfowler hunters we are also conservationists, and it is never to early to start planning for the "growing" season. Getting those wood duck houses cleaned out and restocked with fresh wood chips, checking the water control devices on wetlands to be sure that they are ready for water and, of course, marking your calendar to attend one or more of our WWA fundraising events! This year we have an exciting 6 shoot series at 6 different venues around the State (April-August). Several golf outings are also planned and, of course, our fundraising banquets in your area. There is something for everyone!

Every dollar earned at these events can be matched by one to three additional dollars in habitat restoration work around the state. We are proud of the number of projects we completed in 2015 and we are planning for 2016 work. If you have a potential project on your property, or know of a site that needs some TLC to return it to wetland status, please call or visit our website at wisducks.org to submit a project request. Our website developer tells us that our new site will be up and operating very soon. I am sure you will find it improved and much easier to navigate, including a more user-friendly habitat project application.

It is never too soon to consider holding a waterfowl "learn to hunt" program in
Green Bay Chapter's 2015 Learn to Hunt crew
your area. This is a great way to introduce youth and adults who have never waterfowl hunted to the sport. These Learn to Hunt programs are sanctioned by WDNR, so there is some paperwork necessary to apply. I would be happy to assist any Chapter (or group of individuals) interested in holding an event, just let me know! I can say firsthand that you will never get more gratification than seeing a rookie waterfowler experience their first outing in the marsh; it is priceless.

As always, THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who made 2015 a great year and to those just beginning their work for 2016. We can't do it without you!
Abrams Project Wood Duck Box Maintenance Update

As we've mentioned, now is the time to maintain those wood duck box houses you've placed out on your property.  We're taking our own advice over at our Abrams property, located in southern Oconto County, where volunteers Josh Meyer and Kyle Trudeau (both pictured at right) helped  to clean the wood duck boxes on the property along with Green Bay Chapter Committee member Bryan Urben and his son Jax, as well as "Grampa" Bruce Urben.

The volunteers also noted nesting success was approximately 15% in 2015 based on cracked egg evidence. Down from 30% in 2014!
Wisconsin Waterfowl Hunter's Conference
Plan to attend March 11th & 12th

Wisconsin waterfowl hunters are encouraged to attend the 14th annual Wisconsin Waterfowl Hunters' Conference which will be held on March 11 & 12, 2016 at the Plaza Hotel and Suites in Wausau. The Conference is designed, developed and managed by a committee of independent waterfowl hunters. It is supported by individuals, conservation organizations, private businesses and government agencies. The focus since the inception of this Conference has been Preserving and Enhancing Our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage and how waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin can be improved. Attendees can have a hand in determining the future needs of waterfowl management, research and hunting opportunities. Help determine that direction! The cost of the Conference is only $35.00 if you preregister and $40.00 at the door. The preregistration fee for University wildlife ecology students and attendees 18 years old and younger is only $15.00.
 
Presentations are typically about 30 minutes long and speakers include professional waterfowl staff, agency representatives, a legislative update, and non professional speakers. They are striving for an active agenda that provides opportunities to learn and participate in waterfowling and waterfowl management. On Friday evening, they will hold the traditional WATERFOWL HUNTERS' PARTY which attendees always enjoy. For more specific information about the Conference including how to preregister, lodging information, and the agenda, visit the WWHC website at www.wiswaterfowlersconf.org.
Tom's Banquet Corner
Tom Seibert, Regional Director, 414.750.8260 
 
Thanks to all of our members who attended our Northern Wetlands banquet up in Rhinelander this past Saturday. The newly expanded committee did an amazing job of getting some great prizes to their event, and you responded by attending in record numbers.   Thanks to you and the committee for another record setting banquet up in the north woods. Keep your eye on our online events calendar for next year, the committee has already told me that it will be bigger and better with even more fantastic prizes!

On a sadder note, we found out last week that a long-time supporter of WWA, Tom Joerndt, passed away. Tom was the owner of Winchester Gun Club in  Racine and hosted several Sporting Clay events for WWA over the years and was also a huge sponsor of our South Shore Chapter. WWA restored several wetlands on his property so he could produce more waterfowl for us all. I can truly say that the sportsmen of Wisconsin are better off for knowing Tom. Tom, Thanks for all you have done for us.
Read Tom's full obituary here.         

It looks like winter is back on the schedule so if you're looking for somewhere warm to entertain your whole family, head over to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show taking place this Wednesday-Sunday. Stop by our booth, Gunner the WWA dog is looking forward to greeting you and we have numerous raffles for you to participate in, including the Waterfowlers Dream Hunt Raffle. The Grand Prize Winner will receive 3 mornings of fully guided duck hunting, for 4 hunters, with lodging the nights before, at BAY FLATS LODGE, Seadrift, Texas! Included are all meals, housekeeping and transportation to the blinds/hunt site. Winner receives $500 for travel expenses, $250 for license and stamp fees and 1 case (10 boxes of 25 shells) of Kent Fasteel 12ga. 3", #2 shot ammo. The trip is a Monday - Thursday, 2017/ January 31st, 2018 season. If you can't attend a banquet this year you still have a chance to get in the raffle for this $6,000 trip of a lifetime at the Sport Show. Also one lucky person who purchases their ticket at the Sport Show will have a chance to win a Winchester SXP Camo shotgun!

We have many banquets upcoming this month, hurry to get your tickets several of these events sold out last year) and many more in April. Check out the website for the times and locations near you. Beat your cabin fever and get out and enjoy a banquet near you.
 
Many great guns and prizes await you at a WWA banquet, golf outing and/or shoot this year; I hope to see you there.
 
Sponsor Spotlight - Bay Flats Lodge, Seadrift, TX
WWA is very pleased to announce our partnership with the folks at Bay Flats  Lodge, our host for the WWA Coastal Texas 2016 Dream Hunt. At nearly every WWA event this year, you'll have the chance to buy tickets to win on this raffle, and in most of those cases, you'll have a chance to win an exciting bonus prize (sometimes, a gun!) just for purchasing your ticket, at that event!

Whomever ends up winning this trip is in for a real hum-dinger! Texas does most of its hunting in December and January each year, and the winner will be able to use their trip, either at the end of the 2016/17 season, or during the 2017/18 season, after we pick their name on December 15th, at the WWA Holiday Bash, at MidPoint Eatery & Sports Pub, in Johnson Creek. The amazing food, incredible  lodging, and southern hospitality offered up by the Bay Flats Lodge team, as well as their expert waterfowl and fishing guides, will all be a part of the experience for our winners, as they stay as guests of our valued sponsor partner!

The lucky winner receives:
  • 3 mornings of fully guided duck hunting, for 4 hunters, with lodging the night before, including all meals, housekeeping, and transportation to the blinds/hunt site. Trip days to be used on Monday-Thursday, no later than January 31st, 2018 (the 2017/2018 season)
  • $500 cash, gift card, or voucher , to offset travel expenses
  • $250 cash, to offset Texas license & stamp fees, and misc. expenses
  • 1 case (10 boxes of 25 shells) of Kent Fasteel 12g, 3", #2 shot ammo
Total value of this package is more than $5850!

Not included:
  • Travel: winner is responsible to get to the hunt, and all associated travel expenses from the trip. Seadrift, Texas is approximately 20 hours from Madison, WI, by automobile, or is 65 miles from the international airport at Corpus Christi, TX.
  • Licenses: these are the responsibility of the winner to obtain, with the expense fully covered by the stipend. Winners will need to purchase a Federal Migratory Bird Stamp, also required, if they do not already possess one.
  • Gratuities for guides & lodge staff, bait, if fishing, additional ammunition beyond that provided to the winner, adult beverages, are not included.
However, you don't necessarily need to wait to win this trip. If you'd like to learn more about the Bay Flats Lodge experience, just click on their logo at the top of this article and you can immerse yourself in all they have to offer. All of us at WWA are appreciative of the support demonstrated by the Bay Flats Lodge team, a true family operation, and we're excited for all of you to have the chance to win the hunt of a lifetime!
 
MARCH 2016
APRIL 2016
MAY 2016

WWA'S 2016 CALENDAR RAFFLE

Thank you to everyone who purchased our 2016 Conservation Calendar! This raffle was again an immensely successful fundraiser for our organization's mission.  

NEW for 2016: Drawings will be held on the SECOND MONDAY of each 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. 

Winner's results are posted online by noon on the Tuesday following the drawing and can also be obtained by request via email or by calling (262) 968-1722 or writing to PO Box 427, Wales, WI 53183. 
  
Good luck to all who are entered! 
WWA's 2016 Sporting Clays Shoot Series
Register - Shoot - Win!  6 Unique Events at Awesome Venues to Choose From!

Those of you who have joined us at any of our shoots in the past have shared that we have the best (and most!) prizes to win, so if you enjoy fun-filled days of shooting with fellow outdoors-minded folk, mark your calendars & plan to join us at all six of our 2016 shoots in the series, the more shoots you attend, the more money you save.
2016 Shoot Series Grand Prize (guns,etc not included)

Each shoot has individual characteristics, including entry price, award/games/raffle structure, duration of the event, "side events" available, etc, so be sure to check out our website as the first shoots are open for online registration now! Every event gives you your 1-year WWA membership, AND an entry to win the GRAND PRIZE for 2016 - an incredible CANNON wide-body firearms vault (pictured at right)!

Check out all the details, here, and mark your calendars for the following dates:
In Case You Missed It Last Month 
WWA Partners With Badger Sportsman

All of us at WWA are very excited to remind you to take advantage of a unique opportunity for our members to enjoy a great outdoors publication, covering Wisconsin topics, while at the same time, supporting WWA's works! 

For a limited time, the publishers of Badger Sportsman magazine will contribute 1/2 the value of any new 1-year subscriptions, made by WWA members, back to WWA in the form of a cash donation.  Thus, for every $14.95 payment received from a WWA member, for their new 1-year, 6 issue subscription, WWA will receive $7.50 back! As you can imagine, if even a small portion of our membership elects to take advantage of this opportunity, it could pay HUGE dividends for WWA, and turn Badger Sportsman magazine, into one of our most impactful State Sponsors!

If you want to take advantage of this offer, its really easy.  At our upcoming outreach events, you'll find a mail-in card at the registration table when you check in. Or, if you want to get the program rolling right now, then
go to their website via the WWA link to sign up and half your subscription rate will be donated back to WWA!

A huge thank you to Chris Carns, and all the team at Badger Sportsman magazine, for helping us to craft this offer for you, for their support of WWA in Wisconsin, and their commitment to conservation in our great state!

(Please note, use this link to susbscribe and no code is needed.  However, if you subscribe via Badger Sportsman's main website, please use promo code MALLARD in checkout to indicate you are a WWA member asking for the donation back to WWA.)
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