By Bruce Ross, Executive Director
This article originally appeared in a March 10, 2020 Special Edition of Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Newsletter.
Photo credit: Ron Churchill
WWA representatives advocated for our members at the Migratory GameBird Advisory Committee a few days ago, and several important zone structure proposals came out of that discussion. WWA based our positions on our recent Zone Survey that nearly 700 of you completed a month ago.
We’d like to share the proposals and the background with you now, and alert you to the opportunities to continue to play a role in shaping our waterfowl seasons. Two structures were discussed:
- The 2020 season, and
- 2021 structures and beyond.
For the 2020 season, the proposed structure includes:
- Early teal season proposed for nine days,
- Hen mallard bag limit increase from a single hen to to two per day,
- North Zone regular duck season opening a week before the South Zone,
- Mississippi River Zone regular duck season framework mirroring South Zone
While WWA advocated for a slightly longer Mississippi Zone split, public input from other sources (particularly from that area), and which included the Conservation Congress and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, did not support this and we lost in the decision.
For the following (2021) season until 2026:
- 2021-2025 waterfowl zone configuration replaces the Mississippi River Zone with an Open Water Lake Michigan/Green Bay Zone,
- Move the North/South Zone splits north to Highway 64
Photo credit: Mike Alaimo
This proposed elimination of the Mississippi Zone structure is not likely to make everyone happy. But, the reality is that over the past three to four seasons, that region’s hunters (as a whole) have not been supportive of distinguishing the Mississippi Zone structure from the Southern Zone structure. Die-hard, late season hunters are quick to point out they want to hunt later in the season, but the majority of hunters and their representatives in these areas have not been willing to open on different dates than the South Zone, or to trade October hunting days for December hunting days (by means of a long split). And, since the US Fish & Wildlife Service guidelines state that each zone must present a unique hunting opportunity, it is difficult to justify a separate Mississippi Zone.
The location of the North/South border will likely be controversial, too. While WWA advocated (based on our survey results) for a continuation of the Highway 10 boundary, it became clear there is a valid justification for moving it north to Highway 64. This proposal attempts to balance competing interests. The Northern Zone hunters generally want to open as early as possible and avoid (long) splits to avoid lost hunting days due to freeze-up. The South Zone wants to open later, and extend the season later into the year through splits. The conflict point becomes the important waterfowl hunting zones in between the two highways – larger hunter numbers there increase hunting pressure if season openers are on different dates. The moving of the boundary northwards is intended to help minimize these conflicts.
Recognize that all of these are simply proposals. Now the DNR will start it’s on-line and on-foot roadshow, as seen below, before presenting them to the NRB. If you have opinions, feel free to weigh in!
The following is a courtesy copy of a WDNR email bulletin.
This bulletin was sent to the following groups of people: Subscribers of 2018 Waterfowl stamp, Ducks, Geese, Mourning Dove, or Small Game (62,824 recipients).
Share your input by March 13 and help shape migratory bird hunting seasons in 2020!
Your input matters, and upcoming public meetings and other options to submit comments put you in the driver’s seat to help shape upcoming hunting seasons. Take a look at the proposed season structure and submit feedback during March public hearings, via written comment and through our online input tool.
Click here to view proposed waterfowl seasons. You can also find these proposals and other helpful information regarding migratory bird hunting in Wisconsin by visiting dnr.wi.gov and searching keyword “waterfowl.”
There are a few notable changes in 2020 compared to past proposals, which include:
- Early teal season proposed for nine days;
- Proposed hen mallard bag limit increase to two per day;
- North Zone regular duck season opening a week before the South Zone
- Mississippi River Zone regular duck season framework mirroring South Zone
- 2021-2025 waterfowl zone configuration replaces the Mississippi River Zone with an Open Water Lake Michigan/Green Bay Zone.
Public hearings will be held at the following locations, starting at 7 p.m.:
- Monday, March 9, La Crosse – State Office Building, Rooms B-19 and B-20, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road;
- Tuesday, March 10, Rice Lake – AmeriVu Inn, 1710 South Main St.;
- Wednesday, March 11, Appleton – Fox Valley Technical College, D.J. Bordini Center, Room BC141, 5 N. Systems Drive; and
- Thursday, March 12 – Pewaukee – Wildwood Lodge, N14 W24121 Tower Place.
Public comments regarding proposed migratory bird season structure will be accepted at each public hearing. Public input will also be accepted through an online public input tool through midnight Friday, March 13. This tool will walk users through season structure options and Department of Natural Resources proposals.
If you are unable to attend a public hearing or wish to provide feedback directly, public comments will be accepted through midnight Friday, March 13. Written comments can be sent to Taylor Finger or Jeff Williams, Wisconsin DNR, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, via email to: taylor.finger@wisconsin.gov or jeffrey.williams@wisconsin.gov or by calling 608-261-6458.
Following the public comment period, the final waterfowl season structure will be set by the Natural Resources Board at its April 7-8 meeting in Madison. As always, DNR staff appreciate time spent by waterfowl hunters each year providing feedback and playing a key role in migratory bird management.
For more information regarding migratory bird hunting in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “waterfowl.”