By Bruce Urben, President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s July, 2024 Newsletter edition.
As a statewide conservation (waterfowl) organization, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) is a member of the WDNR’s hosted Migratory Bird Advisory Committee. At this table, WWA has always supported the majority interests of our member waterfowlers. This upcoming year will be the time to voice your opinion to WDNR and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to reconsider the zone structure in Wisconsin. This option to change zone structure is only available every five years and any changes will be in effect for the 2026-2030 seasons. We want to hear your opinion about the zone structure you would like to see.
WWA is preparing a survey to get member input and record your preferences so that we can respond to WDNR and USFWS. The timeline is set and a process is in place to gather statewide input. WDNR must report their decision to USFWS by May 1, 2025.
We have gathered information for you to review as outlined in Executive Director Bruce Ross’s article in last month’s newsletter – Revisiting Wisconsin’s Migratory Bird Zones – AGAIN.
WDNR is planning to narrow the nine options down to five to use in preparing their 2024 Hunter Survey to gather statewide waterfowler input and ultimately select the top option preferred.
Please look forward to receiving WWA’s electronic survey later this month, read through the background that will be provided provided and respond. The survey should only take a few minutes of your time and these decisions will impact waterfowling in Wisconsin for five years.
Thank you for your continued support of WWA