By Bruce Ross, Executive Director – bross@wisducks.org
This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s September 2025 Newsletter edition.
Sorry (but not sorry), this is so long–this will be my last note to you, the WWA faithful. By the time you read this, the Board of Directors will have selected my successor. Expect an announcement later this month with all the details.
I’m VERY excited to see my successor take WWA to the next level of impact—he has the experience and passion we need at this point in our history. He’ll take over a WWA that’s primed to deliver even more benefits for state waterfowlers. Meanwhile, my wife has taken to calling me a lame duck.
- CELEBRATING ALL THINGS WATERFOWL: If you missed last weekend’s Waterfowl Hunters EXPO, you missed a good’un! We crushed it. By every single metric, the EXPO was a home run: Attendance, volunteer support, activities, vendors, booths, sales, and more.
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Partial Phase 1 photo of recent WWA & USFWS project on Meadow Valley State Wildlife Area that restored over 650 acres of public wetlands RESTORING WETLANDS THAT YOU CAN HUNT: Check out this aerial photo of our latest public land project we are working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and below a video from “hunter’s eye level”–taken Monday morning, on the teal opener. What used to be a 20-foot ditch that hustled water off the landscape is now, only a few months later, a rich wetland tapestry of over 650 acres supporting all sorts of wildlife. You can almost see the waterfowl broods and imagine migrators resting on this spectacular wetland. Phase II starts this winter, with thousands of acres planned for restoration during that phase.
- PROTECTING YOUR HUNTING RIGHTS: WWA’s strong leadership has been necessary to advance a responsible sandhill crane hunt. We’ve hired a lobbyist and are working closely with legislators and partners as the legislation works its way through the political process. We expect a hearing in the fall. You can help.
- NEXGEN HUNTER-CONSERVATIONISTS: This October kicks off our next season of turning wannabe waterfowlers into passionate conservationists. The Green Bay chapter will hold its 17th Learn to Hunt, and our unique “For Women, By Women” Hunting experience kicks off in October. With several other introductory experiences around the state, there is an opportunity for you to get involved.
- KEEPING YOU INFORMED: This newsletter is hands-down the most comprehensive and entertaining waterfowling e-news in the Midwest, and maybe across the country. Where else can you hear from wardens, learn the latest regulatory updates, get a sense of the fall flight, learn Wisconsin hunting history, buy high-quality raffle tickets to upgrade your gear, and more?!?
The list goes on. I could share the latest on our regulatory efforts, this month’s efforts to harvest rice and restore rice beds, our expanding wood duck box program, and private land work to boost flyway waterfowl production, etc. But I’m told I’m too long-winded, so I’ll stop. Check out this Retay Nation podcast with new WWA sponsor Retay Firearms if you want to hear more.
YOUR WWA IS CRUSHING IT!
What more could a Wisconsin waterfowler want from a duck-hunting non-profit like WWA? Well, I guess, even more of it.
The only way that happens is to grow our dues-paying membership, expand our cadre of committed volunteers, and effectively engage major donors and corporate sponsors. If you are a current dues-paying member, volunteer, or donor—thank you! You can claim a significant role in WWA’s successes. Now consider becoming a recurring gift giver, volunteering, or connecting your business with WWA.
These two guys stepped up and had an outsized impact on WWA’s success this year. They were recognized for that effort at the inaugural Duckhunters Banquet last Friday night at the EXPO: Bart Tegen and Dave Elwing.
