By Bruce Urben, WWA President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s July, 2022 Newsletter edition.
It seems like forever since we put away our waterfowling gear. Steel shot stored away, waders patched, or maybe a new pair of Chene’s are hanging in your closet. Decoys are cleaned up or repainted and the boat is being tuned up. But it’s time to start thinking waterfowling again – in less than 60 days Wisconsin will have a waterfowl season opener…. early goose and teal!
Based on our recent 2021 survey, 55% of our membership that responded were age 55 and older. Less than 2% were 24 or younger. One thing we know is that our waterfowl hunting population in Wisconsin is getting older. We need to ensure our Wisconsin waterfowling heritage lives on by getting more young people involved. Sometimes that’s easier said than done.
Father/son duo David (left) and Terry show off the spoils of their 2021 waterfowl learn to hunt
We know there are many young people who have never experienced waterfowling and we also know that there is a demand for waterfowl Learn to Hunt programs. Many of our historical programs have a waiting list of individuals interested in attending. So, what’s my point? There are not enough Learn to Hunt waterfowl programs to serve the needs of those interested young people. Of course, the easy answer is just do more Learn to Hunt programs! Again, easier said than done! We need volunteers, waterfowlers who are willing to give up a day or two of their time during season to set up and hold a Learn to Hunt waterfowl program in their area.
I have been involved with a Learn to Hunt Waterfowl program for 14 years and I have heard many of our mentors say that it is the most gratifying thing they have done to introduce first time hunters to the sport. I can only concur with that statement.
Our pinch point in putting together these programs is having enough mentors to match with each student enrolled at various locations throughout the state and someone to coordinate logistics.
We are fortunate to have a WDNR process to help us establish these programs and we have expertise within your WWA to help guide you through the process.
I would encourage you to consider setting up a program in your area; it doesn’t need to start huge, maybe three to four students the first year, but don’t be surprised if the numbers expand quickly in the future. Programs run through the WDNR need to have an application submitted at least 30 days before the planned program dates. There is still plenty of time to develop a program in your area, we just need a few volunteers that want to get involved.
Please contact me if you are interested and I can help to guide you through the process. I can assure you that you will also be more than gratified in bringing smiles to faces, seeing the sunrise in the marsh with people that may have never had that opportunity to see, much less hear, a marsh wakeup before. And maybe, just maybe, they will have an opportunity to harvest and taste some of the best organic, homegrown duck or goose breasts themselves.
Contact me at burben@netnet.net or by phone at 920-660-2773. Have a great summer!