This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s July, 2023 Newsletter edition.

We heard from Taylor Finger (DNR Game Bird Ecologist) last week, sharing the results of the DNR’s spring survey for waterfowl.  Here’s what he said:

“The spring survey results showed very little change for mallards, teal and Canada geese.  Our wood ducks were down quite a bit from the record highs we had over the past 2 years but it puts them right in line with where they were at prior to 2021.  Wetland conditions were above average but I don’t believe it has rained since the survey in early May so currently everywhere is extremely dry. https://widnr.widen.net/s/fqsjnmzdqj/waterfowl_breeding_population_2023.”

Taylor went on to share the DNR’s conclusions from all the public input on season structures if we are forced by conditions in future years to curtail the waterfowl season length.

“As a reminder these are ultimately place holders if the scenario were to arise that we would have a 30 or a 45 day season.  We will have the opportunity to change them when we reopen the rule during our multi-year setting process. (Editor’s note: this will happen next in 2025).

“Here are the results from the committee/partners vs the public input–not surprising the public input leaned considerably heavier toward later starts and longer splits compared to what our committee and partners indicated they favored.

Group	Season	North Duck	South Duck	Open Water Duck
Committee/Partners	30-day	1st Saturday in Oct. with no split	Saturday nearest Oct. 1st with a 5-day split	Saturday nearest Oct. 15 with 5-day split
	45-day	Saturday nearest Sept. 24th with no split or 5-day split (TIE)	1st Saturday in Oct. with 7-day split	Saturday nearest Oct. 15 with no split
Public	30-day	Saturday nearest Oct. 1st with no split	1st Saturday in Oct. with 12-day split	Saturday nearest Oct. 22 with 5-day split
	45-day	Saturday nearest Oct. 1st with a 5-day split	1st Saturday in Oct. with 12-day split	Saturday nearest Oct. 22 with 5-day split

 

Lastly, here are the results that were a compromise and ultimately what DNR leadership supported.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

North Zone

• 30 days – First Saturday in Oct. with no split
• 45 days – Saturday nearest Sept. 24 and continue for 9 days and close for 5 days and continue for the remainder of the 45 day season

South Zone

• 30 days – First Saturday in Oct. and continue for 9 days and close for 5 days and continue for the remainder of 30 day season
• 45 days – First Saturday in Oct. and continue for 9 days and close for 5 days and continue for the remainder of 45 day season

Open Water Zone

• 30 days – Saturday nearest Oct. 15 and continue for 9 days and close for 5 days and continue for the remainder of 30 day season
• 45 days – Saturday nearest Oct. 15 and continue for 9 days and close for 5 days and continue for the remainder of 45 day season”