By Bruce Ross, Executive Director
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s September, 2020 Newsletter edition.
Well, I hope by the time you read this that you’ve been able to get out teal or goose hunting. Not me yet, but soon. Last year this time, I was waiting to mount my new longtail motor on my home-built skiff, “The Splendid Splinter”. I got it mounted a few days into the season, and I have to say it served me extremely well last season and have confidence it will serve me well again this year. It’s a Backwater – I’m very pleased with it and they aren’t even a WWA sponsor (yet!). My skiff is freshly brushed and ready for the season. Hope you’re ready to go too.
WWA volunteers and staff have been incredibly busy over the past few weeks, hosting seven events that had been COVID-delayed, from one of our biggest banquets of the year, to outdoor events like golf outings, shoots, calling contests and picnic-like bashes. A string of remarkably great weather for these events helped attendance and allowed us all to feel comfortable in an outdoor environment while still having fun together. So they were all incredibly well-attended – my sincere “thank you” to those who came out and helped us weather this storm!
I just got off a Zoom meeting hosted by Mark Kakatsch, WI Wildlife Federation Waterfowl Chair, called the “Waterfowl Summit” with DNR representatives, outdoors media and other conservation organizations on the line. Mark started this effort last year to share the latest information on what’s happening in Wisconsin waterfowling.
- We heard from new Chief Warden Casey Krueger and his early challenges and his warden emphasis for the upcoming season.
- Taylor Finger gave a summary of what’s happening from his Migratory Bird desk at the DNR just in time for the early teal and goose season. Taylor also wrote an article just for you in this issue.
- Dr Drew Fowler, the DNR’s waterfowl research biologist, gave us a rundown on his exciting research projects.
I hope you are able to review these quick hitters that every informed waterfowler should have a grasp on. But in case you don’t have the chance before the next time you go out hunting, a quick word on safety: drownings are up this year (WEAR A LIFE VEST), as are UTV/ATV mortalities (SLOW DOWN). Be careful out there—and post some picture of your hunts on WWA’s Facebook group page!