By Brad Heidel, Executive Director – bheidel@wisducks.org
This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s June 2026 Newsletter edition.
Pictured above: Rob Monette, circa “the early days” at a WWA event with the late Phil Robertson.
Rob Monette: The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Known to his friends, Squirrel Bait and Flea Bag, as Sasquatch, Rob Monette has become a legend (a well-respected legend) within the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. This mythical, jolly creature was often seen with his hand in a bucket of raffle tickets, raising funds for Wisconsin ducks and duck hunters. Late in the evening or around dawn, you might also catch him in the glow of his computer monitor, searching auction sites for the deal of a lifetime and mumbling, “If I can find it cheaper, I can make more money for the ducks!”
Needless to say, he was much easier to find than the original Sasquatch.
In all seriousness, Rob has retired. After a long career in Wisconsin’s corrections system, many, many years of volunteering with WWA’s Marshland Chapter and on the state Board of Directors, followed by his six-year tenure as the organization’s Regional Director, Rob is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and family, enjoying their cabin in northern Wisconsin, riding his motorcycle, and, of course, waterfowl hunting.
“Robin Monette was a fixture with WWA from nearly the beginning. He was always there when you needed something or had an idea to support the organization. A good friend, conservationist, and waterfowler—congratulations on your retirement, Rob!”, said WWA President Bruce Urben when asked about Rob.
Ideas? Yes, Rob had plenty of them. Most were solid; a few, maybe not so much. But he was always thinking about the next great opportunity to grow the organization. Those opportunities came not only through his role as WWA’s Regional Director but also through his decades-long service as both a dedicated volunteer and board member, always willing to step up when needed.
As the new Executive Director (yes, I still say “new”), I can only wish I had known Rob earlier in my life. At first blush, I found myself thinking, “What the heck?” after many of my encounters with Rob, but once you get to know him, you quickly realize he is a good man and an even better friend. I was fortunate to have him on board as an employee for a short time. In the future, I hope to continue calling him a great volunteer, and I will always call him a friend.
As an organization, we will continue to count on his help when needed, work with him to preserve WWA’s history, and hope he continues to scour online auctions for the next great deal.
For those of you who have had the opportunity to work with Rob or know him as a friend, please reach out to thank him for his service to the organization and congratulate him on his retirement. Better yet, attend the Duck Hunters Banquet in Oshkosh on August 21st after the Waterfowl Hunters Expo – we will raise a glass to the old duck hunter!
Rob, thank you for your years of dedication, friendship, and commitment to Wisconsin’s wetlands, waterfowl, and waterfowl hunters. Your impact on this organization will be felt for years to come.
