By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s March, 2022 Newsletter edition.
The close-out of 2021 with our state meeting in early February covered a lot of territory, reflecting a lot of WWA success. We’ve condensed some of the slides that were presented there and attached them here for your consideration. Got questions? Ask them at bross@wisducks.org.
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Bruce Ross speaks during the 2022 annual meeting.
We reviewed accomplishments from a very big 2021 and laid out some planning for an even bigger 2022. There were a lot of people to recognize and thank for that very big year, and we re-capture some of that in this newsletter: Over-achieving chapters and Volunteer of the Year.
- We had a great virtual Wisconsin DNR waterfowl update from Taylor Finger – and the remote technology even worked! (For the most part, we covered this in last month’s newsletter here.
- We discussed several new initiatives that will interest some readers:
- An internal grant program that chapters can use to conduct WWA-missions in their area like small-scale habitat programs and learn-to-hunts.
- We have started a legacy program that enables members to leave a meaningful gift to future waterfowlers. This is very simply done – and we can help make it even simpler. There’s an article in the newsletter that explains how YOU can play a role in this impactful program – or contact me personally for more information – bross@wisducks.org.
- Later in this newsletter, there’s some good information from Lt. Tyler Strelow on how to make your interaction with wardens go as smoothly as possible. I’m like everyone else and get a bit anxious when I see a warden approaching; Lt. Strelow shows how to make it less anxious for everyone involved!
- As the chairman of the Waterfowl Hunters EXPO, I’m pleased to report we are making good progress to putting on a bigger and better EXPO this year. Check out the article later in this newsletter.
- Have you heard about Chene waders yet? They have developed and are beginning to market what are probably the highest end wader in the business – all day comfort and day-after-day reliability. One of my recent guides had been wearing his set every day for nearly four months and just loved them. He normally goes through two waders a year during waterfowl season, but his Chenes just keep on trucking without sign of wearing out. There aren’t many pairs available in Wisconsin… BUT because of a special connection with Chene, WWA will be introducing a Chene wader raffle that allows the winner to choose their size of this neat product. Stay tuned!
- We met with Representative Mark Born last month to present him with our inaugural Policy Maker of the Year award. He was sincerely touched by the recognition and the constituents who were present made a point to thank him for his efforts on behalf of state waterfowlers.
- It’s increasingly likely we will be getting a substantial hunter recruitment grant from the DNR for the 2022, ’23, and ’24 seasons. We will need mentors for the hunters we hope to recruit – expected to be over 18 years of age. There’s some neat gear that will be available to mentors. Want to play a role? bross@wisducks.org.
If you’ve read this far, you are likely one of WWA’s most committed members, and I hope you are pleased that WWA is really stretching its wings with your support. If you want to get more involved to help us deliver more results for the state waterfowlers, reach out and let me know at bross@wisducks.org.