By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org

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

WWA was pleased to play a role in reversing the closure of a hunting area in the village of Howard last month.

Our Green Bay Chapter Chair Doug Stein alerted the state office after learning that one of the waterfowling spots used by him and other members of the Green Bay chapter had just been effectively closed to hunting by the village council.  Researching the background on the village’s action, chapter members discovered a proposal to prohibit firearm discharge in the area locally known as The Carp Pond had been introduced shortly before the vote was taken.

While it’s not clear that proper notice on the agenda item was made to affected citizens, it soon became clear that a single homeowner was the motivating force behind the village’s action.

WWA sent this letter to the village trustees, expressing our concern.   When the matter was reconsidered at the next council meeting, WWA volunteers and other hunters filled the meeting room to express their disappointment at the process and the decision.  As a result of these collective actions, the decision was reversed and the area remains open to waterfowling.

We pride ourselves on our ability to quickly react to such local concerns raised by our membership.  But without advance local knowledge that this closure was happening, we may not have been as fortunate with having this ruling overturned.  Lesson: Stay alert to local government issues that could affect your rights to hunt in your local areas.  And give us the chance to help.