By Bruce Urben, President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s October Volunteer Newsletter edition.
I write this article in the middle of the closed waterfowl season“split” for the south zone duck season. Why is there a closure during the 60 day duck season you may ask?
Well, weather conditions can adversely affect the state of Wisconsin differently from the north to the south reaches of the state. There also seem to be weather controlled waterfowl migration patterns in certain parts of the state. For that reason, waterfowlers have asked to close the season for a few days after the opener in certain zones to extend the season at the end. Some years it works well, and sometimes Mother Nature does not cooperate and freezes everything up in mid November.
We are again in the midst of looking at Wisconsin duck zones for the 2021 season through 2025. Your WWA is cooperating with WDNR to get your opinion as to which zone structure works for the majority in Wisconsin. We sent out a survey in our October newsletter to get your opinion – and your opinion counts (if you haven’t voted yet, do so here!). There were 8 options proposed, but WDNR would like to narrow this to 3 or 4 options before they send out their December Hunter’s survey. WDNR’s December survey will include questions/options for various “split” options for the top 3-4 zone options that the majority prefers.
Here is your chance to let us know your zone preferences. We are asked to get the WWA member responses to WDNR by late October so they have time to formulate the Hunter survey questions and get them mailed in early December – so your help is required ASAP.
Thank you if you have already placed your vote, but if you haven’t yet, please take a few minutes to let us know your preferences.
In the meantime, I want to thank all of our volunteers for all of your hard work over the past 10 months. With your help, we will keep your WWA as the voice for the Waterfowler in Wisconsin.
Enjoy your fall and I hope to see you at one of our final events of the year very soon.