By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s February, 2023 Newsletter edition.
From a WWA perspective, we wouldn’t be serving the future interests of state waterfowlers if we overlooked the reality that most waterfowlers – at a greater percentage than Wisconsin society at large – are white. And male. And aging. That white, male and older demographic is shrinking in our society. Combined with overall reduced hunting participation rates, what does that trend mean for the future of Wisconsin waterfowling?
While I can’t quote precise numbers, we might all reach similar conclusions based on our own anecdotal observations: if left unaddressed, these shifting societal demographics will reduce future levels of waterfowler-led conservation (think: license fees, stamp dollars, equipment purchases, Pittman-Robertson funding, etc). And waterfowler-led advocacy efforts will have fewer voices to speak on behalf of state waterfowling issues. I’m led to the conclusion that if we don’t expand the legion of waterfowlers into traditionally under-represented communities, our collective voices and conservation impact as waterfowlers will wither.
Some of WWA’s past Learn to Hunt program participants
With that stark motivation, this month WWA is launching a pilot program to explore strategies to attract and retain persons from under-represented communities as waterfowlers. This focus area will supplement our traditional, ongoing and expanded learn to hunt programs under our Waterfowlers Academy initiative. The challenges are considerable and program design will be important to any success. But if we are serious in our commitment to the future of waterfowling and wetland conservation, there is no alternative. Want to play a role?