By Brad Heidel, Executive Director – bheidel@wisducks.org
This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s January 2026 Newsletter edition.
2025 Was Another Great Year
2025 was another great year for your Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. Along with some organizational leadership changes, we saw strong growth across our three mission pillars. We’ll share more details as we compile our 2025 Annual Report.
As the voice of Wisconsin’s 61,000 waterfowl hunters, my team and I will continue working to increase duck production through wetland restoration, protect our waterfowling heritage through recruitment and education of new hunters, and advocate for the issues that matter most to duck hunters.
Next week, we will be sending out a survey that will allow you to share your thoughts on waterfowl seasons for 2026 through 2030. This is your opportunity to voice your opinion on Wisconsin’s season structure, which the DNR will set for the next five years. I strongly encourage you to complete it. As your organization, we will compile all responses and share them with DNR leadership.
Also, next week, on January 7, you will have the opportunity to voice your opinion in person to legislators at the State Capitol. I hope to meet many of you there, dressed in your favorite camo. Join us in Madison for a day of conversations with lawmakers about wildlife management and our right to hunt, fish, and trap in Wisconsin. Our primary focus will be authorizing a responsible Sandhill crane hunt and continuing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, both of which are critically important pieces of legislation for Wisconsin hunters. You can click here now to sign up: please click here to sign up or email Anna Weigel at annawiegel1@gmail.com with your name and complete address. More details will be provided then, and lunch will be provided!
As we head into 2026, stand with the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association – take the survey, show up in Madison, and make your voice heard. Together, we are the voice of Wisconsin’s waterfowl hunters, shaping the future of waterfowling and protecting our wetlands for generations to come.
