By Brad Heidel, Executive Director – bheidel@wisducks.org
This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s September 2026 Newsletter.
Looking Back – and Looking Forward to Hunting Season
Wow, what a week and a half! A transition from the Waterfowl Hunters Expo to hunting season. Christmas for a duck hunter!
We just wrapped up our biggest Waterfowl Hunters Expo to date. If you didn’t attend, you missed something special. More than 10,000 people attended this year’s event and were greeted by the best in the waterfowl hunting industry.
With more than 160 exhibitors, the Expo featured not only the top brands, but also smaller companies and mom-and-pop outfits offering some very unique items. If you couldn’t find the waterfowl gear you were looking for here, you probably don’t need it!
What made this event happen? Good people!
We could not have accomplished what we did without our staff, volunteers, and vendors. A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to all of you. Together, we did great things for Wisconsin Ducks and Wisconsin Duck Hunters!
Could it get any better?
It can. Waterfowl hunting season is upon us!
This is what we, as an entire organization, have worked so hard for and thought about since the end of last season. Now is the time to enjoy the sunrise in the marsh, time with friends and family in the blind, and, if we shoot well, some ducks and geese.
With the early teal and goose seasons opening on September 1, we are here. The season is upon us!
Enjoy this season like it was your last. Here’s wishing you a safe and successful season-no matter what your definition of success may be.
I hope to run into you in a marsh, somewhere in Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
