Winter Waterfowler's Blues?
by Don Kirby
January. Sigh. February. Ugh! Unless you’ve got plans for some spring snow goose hunting (you lucky dog!), this is perhaps the slowest time of the year for dedicated waterfowl hunters. The last hunt was weeks ago or more; any trophies from this year’s wing shooting have already been delivered to the taxidermist, the waders and decoys have been put away, the boat winterized and you might have already eaten up all your game, too! Worse, its more than 7 months before any waterfowl hunting season open again. This could make for a long, cold winter.
Well, you don’t have to just mope around and wait for spring to return: You could always build a few wood duck houses and make a plan to repair and maintain those that you’ve put out in past years. (Remember, the maintenance of wood duck nesting structures is perhaps the most important aspect of that whole process in helping to produce more ducklings!) But, perhaps you’d like to be more involved in your sport—even beyond doing some winter projects?
In 2011, Wisconsin will see numerous potential changes on the waterfowling scene. With the unexpected opportunity for new zones and season dates offered to us by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are discussions ongoing to determine the best way to handle this circumstance to serve the interests of the greatest majority of Wisconsin hunters. Also ongoing in 2011 will be the discussion of a possible expansion of open-water hunting opportunities, on a list of 13 potential lakes, selected for their specific attributes, from across the state.
If you’ve not heard about these topics until now, perhaps you need to join your peers and become a part of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA). WWA members and staff are integrally involved in these processes, and our membership is regularly appraised of what’s going on behind the scenes on important regulatory issues like these. Additionally, you’d learn more about our habitat restoration works on private and public lands, our work to educate youth about wetlands at several charter schools, our efforts to expand waterfowl Learn to Hunt opportunities and our advocacy efforts with our elected officials in Madison.
Founded in 1984, the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association works exclusively in Wisconsin, focusing on the issues that are important to Wisconsin hunters and those who appreciate the impact of wetlands on our water, and throughout our lives.
Wisconsin benefits from one of the largest populations of dedicated waterfowlers. Please consider joining WWA in 2011. There’s much work to be done to continue to support the habitat needs of the ducks we produce in this state, as well as ensuring that our traditions are passed on to another generation of hunters and conservation leaders. When we work together, there’s almost nothing we can’t do.