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. Norman J. Brady
Donor: Dale W. Arenz

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
JUNE 2016
We've Got Great Gifts for Dads & Grads!
Don Kirby, Executive Director, 262.224.4949

With the unofficial start of summer behind us, and some warmer weather at hand, we've finally arrived at a "breather" segment in our WWA activities calendar, at least on the fundraising event side of the ledger (things are beginning to speed up for Peter, on the project side, as water levels recede, though!).

We had a terrific May, with two extremely well-attended sporting clays shoots in our Series, and the best-yet, 4th Annual SE WI Scramble golf event, presented by Cardinal Fabricating, just last week (a big thank you to Mike Alaimo and Scott Williams, from the Waukesha and West Allis chapters, respectively, for all their help with the outing!).
 
This month we'll be working on planning meetings for the traditional August and September series of events, plus preparing for the brand new Waukesha Sporting Clays Shoot, to be held the last weekend of this month - the 4th event in the Sporting Clays Shoot Series. Plan to spend some time with us, one or both of those days. Your wingshooting will appreciate the practice, and you'll have another chance to win some great prizes, plus earn your entries into the grand prize drawing, to be held at the return of Ducks Before Bucks, "a night of winning", on Tuesday, August 30th, at MidPoint Eatery & Sportspub (I just helped install the awesome canoe raffle, to be drawn the same night, earlier this week, check it out here!).

We've also finalized the draft of the 2017 Conservation Calendar, this past week, and so the Calendar Committee members expect for the printing to be completed over the next few weeks, and distribution to begin following the Independence Day holiday, as we did, last year. If you'd like to help join our sales team for the calendar raffle, or know a business that would like to help, please let me know - we'll add you to our list of sales locations. The calendar is an important fundraiser and powerful awareness tool of our associations works, so the opportunity to get the 4000 pieces distributed and sold out, is a great way for members to participate.

Finally, just a little reminder: we've plenty of great WWA apparel, as well as electronic on-line ticketing for some of the great events mentioned above - if you're seeking a unique gift for that recent graduate, or maybe even for Father's Day (it's coming!) check out the link here. You'll find the buying process MUCH easier, with the new wisducks.org website. We're got pretty good stock of both our long and short sleeve jerseys, plus the last available stock of the super-popular sage green hoody, before it is replaced with an updated version, before fall, from our partners at DyeSport in Prairie du Chien. Get them while they last, at discounted rate! Also, if you make an order of $100 or more (combine with your friends?) we'll even ship it to a single address, for free, until noon on June 15th. Enter coupon code dadshipsfree at checkout.

Thanks to all of our volunteers - they make your Association happen!
See you on the water...Don
President's Note
Bruce Urben, President

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Two years ago, shopping to me was visiting the nearest big box store, specialty or sporting goods store to see if they had what you wanted. Most times, they didn't have what you wanted but you settled for what they had. Wow, how times have changed! Now, we know exactly what we want and the easiest way (and,  probably the cheapest, too) to find it is by surfing the web and probably using "Amazon" to order your one of a kind needs or wants. What is even better, it is delivered to your door, sometimes postage free, in as little as two days! Amazing. Yes, I have joined the electronic shopping revolution, somewhat hesitantly at first, but now it seems like it is the norm, not a "fad".

What is further amazing to me is that Amazon Smile donates .5% of your purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. Yes, your Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is listed on their charitable list!

How do you do it? Well, if I can, anyone can. On your next visit to Amazon, go to this link to automatically select WWA as your charity of choice and then start shopping.  Your login information for smile.amazon.com is the same as your standard Amazon account, no need to create a new username or password if you already have one! Or, just go to smile.amazon.com  and select Wisconsin Waterfowl Association as your charitable organization to receive the donation.

Amazon will remember your selection and then every purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a .5% donation!

I know the Urben household makes numerous purchases on Amazon over the course of the year for birthdays, Christmas and other memorable holidays (like opening of fishing, opening of duck season, deer season, turkey season etc..).

Your purchasing power through Amazon Smile can make a difference for WWA! What an easy way to leverage a donation at no cost to you. Unfortunately, you can't claim a tax deduction for this donation but WWA has other options for you if you are in need of a deduction. Just check out our website at wisducks.org to find out more on how your donations can be deductible and don't forget to use Amazon Smile for all your online shopping.

Get out and enjoy the outdoors, and don't forget to take a child with you!

Happy Shopping,
Bruce
Abrams Project Site Burn
by Bruce Urben, President

After weeks of waiting on Mother Nature to give us the favorable wind direction, speed and humidity, we were able to finally complete the prescribed burn at the Abrams property on Thursday, May 5th.
Jon Kellermann and five of his students from Fox Valley Technical College's Wildfire program were on hand with two of their engines and all of their firefighting gear and tools along with WWA Project Director Peter Ziegler (burn boss), WWA Executive Director Don Kirby and myself. We were able to split up the crew and burn from two sides of the ponds to take advantage of the northerly wind. 2-1/2 hours later, both crews met on the west side of the property. The smoke was heavy but the crews were able to keep the backfires from going beyond the plan boundaries. No incidents were encountered short of a stuck engine truck and variable wind conditions at the surface but according to Jon Kellermann (FVTC) this was good experience for the wildfire students to use the engines winch and cable to quickly extract the engine.

A Prescribed burn is one tool that wildlife managers can use to improve habitat. The burns improve soil conditions, clear unwanted invasive plants and insects and help to warm the soil for a quick green-up of prairie plants.
The last burn at Abrams was over 5 years ago. Unfortunately the islands could not be burned this time due to wet conditions but a fall burn is planned to finish all three of the island areas.   
A BIG thank you to Jon Kellermann and his Wildfire students from FVTC and to Peter Ziegler and Don Kirby for coordinating the burn. If you are North of Green Bay and have a chance, take a look at the burn area (you can see it from the highway), which is greening up quickly with the recent warm weather and rain.
Pictured back row, from left to right: WWA President Bruce Urben, FVTC Student Kevin Organ, FVTC Student Ryan Brewster, FVTC Student Jacob Hansen, FVTC Instructor Jon Kellermann, FVTC Student Niklas Romskog. Front row from left to right: WWA Project Director Peter Ziegler, FVTC Student Declan Grandinetti-Alder, observers from the DNR forest ranger team
Project Program Updates
Peter Ziegler
Peter Ziegler, Project Director, 262.470.4310

The last few months I have been traveling across the state visiting potential project sites from Neillsville to New Franken and south to Lake Geneva. Spring has everyone thinking about wetlands and birds as they arrive and show up on local ponds and wetlands looking for good places to nest, or just to stop for a bit of refueling as they continue north. In just the last week I submitted three permits for projects coming up this year. These project sites have been in the planning stages for some time now, but I've finally got all the pre-construction work squared away and hopefully we will be able to put those acres on the ground this year.

Last weekend I was in Manitowoc County talking to a small group of landowners about habitat restoration along the Lake Michigan shoreline and its importance, along with opportunities they may have, even with small
Another presentation done at the Wisconsin Wetlands Workshop last weekend. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Wetlands Association
acreage. You don't need big acreage to have positive effects for wetlands and wildlife. I encourage you to think about how good habitat, no matter how big or small, can have positive effects for many species. Remember, about 80% of species require wetlands at some point in their life.

I will be traveling back to Manitowoc this Saturday to participate in the Wisconsin Wetlands Associations Wetland Landowner workshop. If you're interested check out what they are offering at wisconsinwetlands.org. I'll be there for a few hours in the morning helping out and supporting a great partner of ours. Later this month I will be participating in an education class at Concordia University in Mequon. This is part of an environmental education series and imagine of all things I will be talking about wetlands, their importance, and restoration.

Remember WWA is always interested in wetland restoration project so if you come across something or know someone have them contact me or fill out the new project application on our website.
Tom's Event Corner
Tom Seibert, Regional Director, 414.750.8260

Thanks to all of you who came out and shot at our Ozaukee County Fish & Game Club and Abrams Little Creek Sporting Clay series shoots last month; we had a record turnout for both of these events. If you had a good time, be sure to come out for the next shoots coming up in June and July. Check the website for more information on the remainder of the 2016 WWA Shoot Series. I hope to see even more of you there, these shoots help you get ready for the hunting season! More hits and fewer misses mean more fun in the field and less lost game.

Great Prize Alert! Muddy Water Boats has jumped on board as a WWA State Sponsor this year and we have had several of their famous duck skiffs at our events. Make plans to attend one of our events this year for a chance to win this unbelievable tool for duck hunting; Muddy Water Boats duck skiffs will get you into some mighty fine hunting spots. One of our members had a hunt of a life time in his skiff last year in North Dakota. If you haven't hunted with a skiff you are missing out on a unique form of hunting. Check out the Muddy Water Boats this season. 

We have many fall events coming and we could sure use some volunteers in the planning of these fundraising banquets. Our St. Croix, Wausau, Madison and La Crosse chapters could use some help. A couple hours every few weeks per year is all it takes to be a committee volunteer and be entered into a drawing to win a Beretta Shotgun. Check out our website for more details on our volunteer program. Even if meetings aren't your thing you may be able to help by selling raffle tickets for our chapter's pre-event raffles. Consider becoming A WWA volunteer this year. Thank you for all you do to keep Wisconsin clean and growing.

Sponsor Spotlight - SportDOG Brand
Today, at 11:00am, our friends at SportDOG Brand began the latest outreach from their third annual Companions for Conservation contest, and three lucky young people will be paired up with started hunting Labs from three famed trainers. It's another great example of the sort of commitment to their customers that SportDOG exhibits on a regular basis.  They are focused on advancing our outdoor pursuits, and we are proud to count them among our sponsor partners the last six years.  Check out the announcement here, and help a young person in your circle to get their application in for the contest today!
JUNE 2016

JULY 2016

AUGUST 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! 
WaukeshaShoot
Waukesha is #4 in the 2016 Shoot Series!
Register - Shoot - Win!  6 Unique Events at Awesome Venues to Choose From!

Shoot #4, our 1st Annual Waukesha County Shoot is just around the corner, taking place Saturday June 25th and Sunday, June 26th at the Waukesha Gun Club and we have a fun and exciting weekend of sporting clays and some pretty amazing raffles and prizes you won't want to miss!

For just $25 ($20 youth 17 & under), you get 50 rounds of clays, entry into the Grand Door Prize drawing AND some great prizes in Adult, Youth AND Lewis Class, including CASH, shells and hunts! Some of the highlights include:
  • The new East Course with 12 stations will be used
  • 30 Bucket Shooters Prizes
  • Grand Door Prize
  • Roberts Specialty Meat Raffles Daily
  • Mystery Gun & Safe Raffle
  • Special 2-Person Flurry - Multiple Winners, Cash & Shell Prizes
  • Cabela's Leisure Package
  • Class A Pistol AND Shotgun Raffles
  • $20 re-entry fee (available day-of shoot)
Plus, if you've shot at one of our other shoots in the series, you'll receive $5 off your pre-registration entry fee.

2016 Shoot Series Grand Prize (guns,etc not included)
As with all Shoots in the Series, you'll also get 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 on the Series, here , and mark your calendars for the upcoming shoots left in the Series:
Don't Forget Your Subscription to Badger Sportsman Magazine!
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 $19.95 payment received from a WWA member, for their new 1-year, 6 issue subscription, WWA will receive almost $10 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
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.)
Community Mourns the Loss of Artist Terry Redlin
From Redlinart.com

Watertown, SD - Watertown native and famous Americana and wildlife artist, Terry Redlin, passed away Sunday, April 24th at the age of 78. 

In 2007, after a lifetime of artistic achievements, Terry Redlin announced his retirement from painting and print signing due to his struggle with dementia. Redlin, who was widely known as "America's Most Popular Artist," had accomplished what he set out to do.

"I wanted to tell stories with my paintings, to remember the experiences of my youth, and capture forever events related to me by older folks I had the pleasure of knowing," said Redlin. "America's rural past, in my eyes, was a wonderful place full of both beauty and opportunity. How fortunate I've been to spend my life creating memories of those distant times for others to enjoy." Read on... 

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