By Bruce Urben, President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s September Volunteer Newsletter edition.
All images courtesy WDNR Duck Zone Ad Hoc Committee. Click on any image to enlarge.
Although most waterfowlers have completed their first opening weekend for 2019, it is just the beginning of the planning process for the next waterfowling season cycle.
First, I hope all of our waterfowlers had a safe and successful opening weekend. As I write this article, I am looking forward to the first sunrise in the duck blind.
On Tuesday of last week, WWA was invited to attend an Ad Hoc Waterfowl Committee meeting to discuss duck zones for the 2020 season and beyond. According to federal requirements, State zones can only change every 5 years, so the WDNR has assembled a number of organizations, including WWA, to seek input on possible options for the next 5 years.
As you would expect, the Feds and the associated Flyway Representatives have specific rules to establish zones in any state. We all know that for the last 5 years we have been under 3 zones in Wisconsin (Mississippi River, North and South zones). The specific baseline rules are as follows:
- Any zone must be a geographic area that has a contiguous boundary for which dates can be selected for duck season(s).
- Once a zone is selected, it must remain in place for 5 years.
- There can be no more than 4 zones, and a 4 zone proposal can have no splits.
- There can be 3 zones with one split
- There can be 2 zones with one split
- There can be 1 zone with 2 splits
Based on past feedback received from waterfowlers, there is interest in changing some of the current zones. Some to provide more opportunities when migrations occur, others to facilitate weather conditions like freeze-up that are encountered, or to take advantage of ecological changes on the landscape.
The WDNR and your WWA is interested in getting your feedback officially in surveys that will be sent in early December 2019.
What we found at the Ad Hoc meeting was that there are numerous options that can be considered. After a day-long discussion, the Ad Hoc Committee came up with eight options that may be feasible and that also meet the above federal requirements.
Pictured below are 8 maps which depict the 8 options that were proposed. Please review and then fill out our survey, ranking from zone option #1 (best) to #8 (worst) choice in your opinion.
Option 1: The current structure with 3 zones (North, South and Mississippi River zone (MRZ)) and one split:
Option 2: Three zones with the North boundary moved to Hwy 64 from Hwy 10 with one split:
Option 3: A 3 zone U-zone with North, Central and South zones with one split. A new Lake Michigan zone (LMZ) consistent with MRZ:
Option 4: A 3 zone U-zone with North, Central and South zones with one split. However the North zone line is moved (North) to Hwy 64. A new Lake Michigan zone (LMZ) consistent with MRZ.
Option 5: A 4 zone with North, South LMZ and MRZ with no splits (Hwy 10 line):
Option 6: A 4 zone with North, South, LMZ and MRZ with line at Hwy 64:
Option 7: A 3 zone with North, South and LMZ with one split with Hwy 10 line (No MRZ):
Option 8: A 3 zone with North, South, LMZ with 1 split. Line at Hwy 64:
Additionally, please view the highway map of Wisconsin for your reference:
Here is where we need your help!
Social scientists tell us that surveys must be specific and uncomplicated to be able to gather data from all interests. We need to prioritize the top 3 or 4 options to put forward in the survey we’ll send out in December
Please look at the 8 options and take less than one minute to fill out our quick survey by clicking here, ranking them from #1 (best) to #8 (worst) choice in your opinion. We will use the top 3-4 options from these results to put forth in our December survey. Please note: we need your answer by October 21st!
Thanks in advance for your initial reaction, and your top 3 choices for future zones in Wisconsin. We will compile your selections and forward to the survey design team.
In the meantime, I hope you are able to get out to enjoy the fall weather and if you have the opportunity, take a youth hunting, they are our future!