By Bruce Urben, WWA President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s December, 2021 Newsletter edition.
Hope you all had a happy and safe Thanksgiving. A time to gather with friends and family to give thanks for all of the things, people and events we have enjoyed this last year.
This has been a blessed year for WWA as well. We have accomplished a lot this year with your help, advice and support. We were able to convince the Governor and Legislature that an increase in the Wisconsin Duck Stamp fee was in the best interest of our resource and the waterfowl of this state. The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program was re-funded to the highest level in years thanks to all of our member’s support and persistence. And, we are continuing to work with Madison regulators and lawmakers to support legislation for a Sandhill crane hunt because of your direction and support.
A wild rice site that WWA seeded last year shows promise with widespread plants emerging.
This year we have seen an increase in our wetland habitat improvement projects in the state. The dry weather has helped to get many completed and even more started. The backlog from the project site proposals you are sending in is greater than we have ever seen! These new sites are providing food, water, cover, nesting and resting areas for waterfowl and all wetland species.
Your support at our events has been phenomenal. Whether it be an in-person event, raffle or volunteer work project, you have shown up to support our Organization in greater numbers. With that comes the ability to do more for our mission of Habitat, Education and Legislation.
We all have a lot to be thankful for this year, and I hope you were able to take a little time away from the hurry and scurry of life to look back at all of your accomplishments this last year.
We also owe a special thanks to our staff at WWA! These are some of the most knowledgeable, experienced and hardworking people I know. You have set the bar high for 2022.
As the 2021 Waterfowl hunting season draws to a close, I hope you have had a chance to get out to enjoy the resource and also harvest a few ducks and geese. I know the Urben Thanksgiving dinner included several fat, roasted mallards this year along with our ham and turkey. And yes… the fat on those mallard breasts makes it all worthwhile – now we know why they call it “Duck Butter”. Did you know that an enterprising entrepreneur even canned duck fat in a spray can for cooking? I am convinced it was a waterfowler who wanted to enjoy “duck butter” all year long. Try it… it’s great!
I hope you have a great Christmas holiday and Thank You for making 2021 a year to remember.