By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bruceross@wi.rr.com
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s February, 2021 Newsletter edition.
Early last year, WWA members told us through our survey of their desires for the zone structure decisions the DNR would undertake for 2020 and beyond. I know that not every individual of the 700 or so survey respondents got what they wanted, but I am pleased to report that WWA was able to advocate successfully for what the majority of WWA’ers wanted. Whether that was an earlier start and short split in the North Zone (to avoid loss of hunting days associated with late season freeze up), or synchronizing the Mississippi River zone dates with the South Zone (to manage pressure and maximize early season opportunities). Indeed, there was only one issue that we surveyed on that the DNR did not ultimately decide consistent with WWA input. We shared the survey results with you back in June.
One of the big decisions to arise from that process was the creation of what is now called the Big Water Zone. And so that’s the focus of this survey, which will take less than five minutes to complete.
Our successful advocacy last spring was the result of strong survey results, that as a whole, made sense. This year’s survey is much shorter than last year’s, and will help us strongly advocate for the framework that you – our WWA members – want to see in 2021. Help us help you by taking the survey!