By Bruce Urben, President
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s June, 2020 Newsletter edition.
Waterfowl cleaning demo at the 2019 WWA Learn To Hunt
In 1984, our Organization’s founders established a mission statement that included the implementation of educational programs for Wisconsin’s youth that heighten awareness of our wetland resources, conservation and hunting traditions. Our recent focus has been on recruitment and education of new waterfowl hunters. I am happy to report that (with the hope that our pandemic will soon be controlled) we are planning to expand our Learn to Hunt programs three-fold this fall. The Green Bay Chapter’s 13th Annual Waterfowl Learn to Hunt will take place in October again this year along with our newly planned inaugural Learn to Hunt Programs through the Appleton Chapter and a Learn to Hunt in Southeast Wisconsin (Waukesha). These Learn to Hunts will fill up quickly, if you are interested, please contact us at WWA and we will make every effort to support your requests! wwainfo@centurytel.net
Kids partaking of the educational opportunities offered at Abrams
We also hope to move ahead with an educational program at our Abrams Project Property in southern Oconto County. Several local school districts visited the property in early spring before the pandemic restrictions were put in place and enjoyed the trails, habitat and assisted in cleaning and maintaining Wood Duck boxes. If you or your school group would like to arrange a visit, feel free to contact me to coordinate.
Summer is a great time to look into taking an on-line Hunter Education course through the WDNR. New hunters will need a Hunter Education certificate to hunt if you were born on or after January 1, 1973. It’s pretty easy, just register for the Hunter Safety course, pay the small fee, read and study the online resources, pass the online test and then, if you are under 18, attend a Hunter Internet Field Day to complete your certification (students over 18 do not need to take the Internet Field day).
WWA is planning to offer an Internet Field Day in Northeast Wisconsin this fall if pandemic restrictions allow. Please note, WDNR recommends you take the Internet course just prior to attending the field day to keep safety concepts fresh in your mind!
WWA also has a number of certified “Wingshooting” instructors. The WDNR “Wingshooting Program” promotes concepts and practices that minimizes wounded loss while waterfowling. Instruction in proper lead, estimating target distancing, effective ranges and proper patterning of your firearm are included. And yes, you will shoot a lot! WWA will support a Wingshooting program in your area if there is interest. Please contact us if you have a group interested.
WWA is very interested in establishing a volunteer R3 Coordinator in our Organization. R3 is the Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation of hunters, anglers, trappers and shooting sport participants. The state’s program was implemented in reaction to declines in the number of participants in those sports. If you have interest in developing an R3 program in WWA, we would appreciate your help. Please contact us if you would like more information.
The grass is growing and everything is greening up in the fields, marshes and forests. It won’t be long until we will be getting ready for our fall seasons! Please help us to help those who are interested in learning more about waterfowling, wetland habitat and conservation.
We can’t do it without you!
wwainfo@centurytel.net