By Bruce Urben, WWA President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s November, 2022 Newsletter edition.
October 14-15, 2022 marked WWA’s 14th Annual Learn to Hunt Waterfowl program at Pittsfield Trap Club near Pulaski, WI; one of Wisconsin’s oldest Learn to Hunt Waterfowl programs in the state.
Ten students participated this year, ranging from in age from nine to 40 years old. As a participant requirement, none of our students could have previously participated in waterfowl hunting and most had never even had an opportunity to shoot a shotgun. Students attending were from all over Wisconsin and beyond, including UW Stevens Point, UW Platteville, Calumet County and Barneveld. And Germany. Yes, our first foreign exchange student!
The students received three hours of classroom instruction on Friday night, which included Hunter Safety (TABK), identification of ammo, target identification, lead and more from our hunters safety instructors. This was followed by a WDNR warden presentation on regulations, hunter ethics and what to do when you encounter a warden in the field. A WDNR biologist followed, presenting duck ecology and duck identification clues. All this while enjoying pizza, cheese curds and soft drinks. Many questions were fielded.
Each student was paired with an experienced waterfowl mentor after the classroom portion and stepped up to the trap line to learn proper shotgun techniques with one of our instructors. All were put in the position they would be placed in the next morning’s hunt to break some clay pigeons. Students shot from layout blinds, a boat on inner tubes and sitting positions to name a few. Shooting continued until 10:00 pm when plans were laid to rendezvous with their mentors early the next morning. Students were provided shotguns and ammunition. Some students met their mentors at 3:00 am!
After the hunt, the students and mentors were greeted back at the trap club for a picnic lunch and demonstrations. And….oh, the stories of their first hunt! Our nine year old student harvested a goose that was almost as tall as he was! The program also provided a demonstration on duck and goose calling, cooking and cleaning your waterfowl, how to clean your firearm and, finally, certificate presentation.
Nine students were successful in bagging one or more ducks or geese and the one unsuccessful student told me he had numerous opportunities. A gift bag of a call and lanyard with instructional CD, knife and souvenir goose band were distributed to all students. Yes, each mentor asked them to leave their call at home for the mentored hunt!
Each of this year’s students left with high expectations and plans of continuing to waterfowl hunt and memories to last a lifetime.
Special thanks to all of our mentors for their time in scouting and providing a quality hunting experience. Thanks to WDNR Warden Collin Sherod and WDNR Biologist Steve Burns for their presentations and to Jeremy VanSistine and Mike VanSchindel, our Hunter Safety instructors. Thanks also for the help from Matt Ernst, shotgun shooting specialist, who helped our student master their shot on the trap range.
Extra thanks to our WWA Green Bay Chapter volunteers for their time and resources for food and refreshments as well as Super Ron’s Foods in Pulaski and Kay Distributing for refreshments. Without them, this would not be possible.
If you are interested in attending a Learn to Hunt Waterfowl program next year or have the itch to develop one in your area, please contact us at info@wisducks.org or contact me directly at burben@netnet.net, 920-660-2773, to get signed up. Available spots go quickly, so plan ahead. It’s free, but it comes with high expectations!