Do the Duck Gods Exist?

Yesterday at 2:46 pm

By Brad Heidel, Executive Director – bheidel@wisducks.org

This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s October 2026 Newsletter.

Heck yeah, they do! And here’s hoping they shine on you as our seasons get into full swing.

Nobody does more for Wisconsin Ducks and Wisconsin Duck Hunters than the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. Your organization represents roughly 63,000 WI waterfowl hunters and advocates for your interests. WWA does this through what I like to call our three organizational pillars.

Little Yellow River Project restoration – July, 2026

First is Conservation, or what we also call Habitat. Ask any waterfowl hunter what he wants, and chances are you’re always going to get the same answer: MORE DUCKS! Good habitat has a direct effect on duck production, and WWA puts habitat on the ground primarily through wetland restoration, both on private and public land. Fun fact: Based on the DNR’s Wetland Dashboard, WWA has accounted for more than 80% of wetland restoration (most of it on Public Land) in the state over 2023, 2024, and 2025. Pretty impressive for your state-based conservation organization!

Second is Education, which we call our Waterfowler’s Academy. This is where we work to create the next generation of waterfowlers while maintaining the heritage and traditions that we all hold so close to our hearts. We accomplish this through our Learn to Hunt programs, educational outreach, and the Waterfowl Hunters Expo. These programs impact more than 10,000 people each year!

The third pillar is Advocacy. This is where WWA fights for what is important to our members and supporters at the State Capitol in Madison. Here, I want to make a couple of quick points. Sportsmen and women historically tend not to vote. We have a very significant election coming up in November, and your vote does make a difference. I am not going to ask you to vote for a particular candidate. I am only asking you to please VOTE!

Moving forward, we have a couple of organizational issues that stand out, and we will continue working hard to get them to the Governor’s desk for signature: funding for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund and a responsible Sandhill Crane hunt here in Wisconsin. Know that regardless of the outcome of the upcoming election, WWA has worked, and will continue to work, with all parties to ensure these two priorities come to fruition.

As you already know, we can’t do this work without you. Your support makes it all happen. Support comes in many different forms – time, talent, and treasure.

We talked about the Duck Gods at the beginning, and yes, they are real! Please show your support for the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association by becoming a member, donating, or volunteering your time.

Right now, the simplest way to do that is to purchase one or several of our annual fundraising calendars. Your purchase not only gets you membership in WWA, but also gives you the chance to win more than 120 firearms, with a total of 365 prizes given away over the course of the year.