By Brad Heidel, Executive Director – bheidel@wisducks.org
This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s March 2026 Newsletter edition.
Spring Is In the Air
In 2026, the March equinox occurs on March 20 at 10:46 a.m. EDT. It falls on a Friday and marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. However, in my mind – and in the minds of many here in Wisconsin, the first day of spring is March 1.
As the sun climbs higher in the sky and we begin to enjoy those scattered warm days, the mind starts to wander. I find myself thinking about chasing tom turkeys, getting the boat ready, and… cleaning out wood duck boxes and attending Wisconsin Waterfowl banquets!
Spring is an especially busy time for our volunteers.
The majority of our chapters manage sites where they have installed wood duck boxes. In preparation for the spring migration, these boxes must be inspected for prior-season use and damage, then cleaned out with fresh wood chips added to create a proper nest bowl. Early spring, when the ice is still thick enough to support a person, is the best time to accomplish this task. From personal experience, I can tell you it’s much easier than doing it in waders while busting through the ice!
This spring, we are beta testing a phone-based survey application we designed to integrate with the ArcGIS mapping program. This tool will allow WWA to more easily monitor and track the boxes our chapters have installed across the state. With the information gathered, we will be able to track not only usage rates but also success rates.
More Wisconsin ducks for Wisconsin duck hunters.
Spring is also the time of year when many of our chapter banquets, bashes, and shoots take place. Volunteers have been meeting and planning these fun-filled events to help raise funds for WWA’s mission work. The work our volunteers do is critical to ensuring waterfowl continue to thrive in Wisconsin, our Waterfowl Academy continues recruiting new hunters, and our team can advocate for what matters most to duck hunters and ducks at the state capitol.
Just as important as the work behind the scenes is your attendance at these events. I encourage you to attend a banquet or event this spring. Take the next step – join a chapter, or even start a new one, and really make a difference.
Our chapters, volunteers, and members make the difference.
See you at a banquet this spring,
