Freedom to Hunt
Freedom to Gather
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| Brad Heidel
WWA: Executive Director |
| As we celebrate Independence Day, we’re reminded of just how fortunate we are to live in the greatest country in the world. For 250 years, the United States has stood as a beacon of freedom and opportunity. The liberties we enjoy, including the opportunity to hunt, conserve our natural resources, and pass our outdoor traditions on to the next generation – should never be taken for granted.
This holiday, take time to enjoy family and friends, fire up the grill, watch the fireworks, and reflect on the many blessings we share as Americans.
Then, as the celebration continues into August, start making plans for another great tradition, the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Waterfowl Hunters Expo on August 21-22 in Oshkosh. As the largest event dedicated to waterfowl hunters in the Midwest, the Expo brings together hunters from across the region to celebrate our shared passion for waterfowling. |
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| Whether you’re looking for the latest hunting gear, want to learn from some of the best waterfowl hunters in the country, pick up new calling or decoying techniques, discover delicious ways to prepare your harvest, or simply spend time with fellow hunters who share your passion, the Waterfowl Hunters Expo has something for everyone.
The freedoms we enjoy have allowed generations of Americans to build a rich hunting heritage. Let’s celebrate that heritage together. |
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| Mark your calendar, gather your hunting partners, and join us in Oshkosh for a weekend dedicated to Wisconsin Ducks and Wisconsin Duck Hunters.
Have a safe and happy Independence Day. I look forward to seeing you next month at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo! |
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Summer Scouting Tips
for Hunting Waterfowl
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| Joel Kleefisch: Midwest Host The Fowl Life. Government Affairs Director Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, Host of Raised in the Woods Radio |
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| Get a head start on waterfowl season before fall sneaks up on you. Joel Kleefisch breaks down what you should be doing right now to make sure you’re ready when the birds show up. |
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NRCS EQIP Grant Helping to Manage and Restore WWA’s Abrams Property
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| Bruce Urben,
WWA President |
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| Jesse Nickels, representing Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Green Bay Chapter and WWA President Bruce Urben, met with State NRCS Conservationist Nathan Fikkert, District Conservationist Jeff Maroszek, Dan Hoff, Resource Conservationist and NRCS project lead, along with five members of the NRCS Lena Service Center staff to observe and document the work being completed at WWA’s Abrams Property project site in Southern Oconto County. |
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| WWA was approved for an NRCS EQIP Grant to complete habitat improvements at the 143-acre WWA Abrams property, including 31+ acres of WDOT adjacent property. This property is being managed for hunting opportunities, including disabled waterfowl blinds and Deer blinds. The EQIP Grant supports property management, and to date, a Forest Management plan has been completed; a brush management program has been implemented; and wetland restoration and invasive control were completed in 2025! |
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| Additional work is planned beginning in 2026, including forest planned cutting/thinning, more brush management, phragmites control, planting over 10 acres of pollinator plants, and over 30,000 trees to regenerate the Dying Ash stands. |
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| Taylor Finger: DNR Game Bird Ecologist |
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Spring Waterfowl Survey Shows Positive Results
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| MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that data is now available from the annual spring survey of breeding waterfowl. The survey indicated stable population numbers and habitat conditions for migratory birds.
The data from this survey is used as part of the overall survey of breeding waterfowl in North America, and the information helps the DNR make management decisions about waterfowl in Wisconsin. The survey has been conducted annually since 1973, except for 2020. Survey results are best interpreted as trends over several years rather than year-to-year comparisons. |
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| Surveyors estimated the state’s 2026 breeding duck population at 571,460 birds, a 1% increase from 2025 and 28% above the long-term average.
The 2026 mallard breeding population estimate is 162,894 birds, 5% higher than 2025 but still 8% lower than the long-term average. Wood duck populations are up 6% from 2025 and remain 12% above the long-term average. The 2026 blue-winged teal estimate is 111,917, which is up 19% compared to 2025 and 7% above the long-term average. |
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| The Canada goose population estimate is 2% lower than 2025, yet still remains 13% higher than the long-term average.
Find additional data from this and other wildlife survey reports on the DNR’s Wisconsin Wildlife Reports webpage. |
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| Joshua N. Litvinoff,
WDNR Conservation Warden |
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Sandhill Wildlife Area: Genuine Gold Mine Of Hunting, Wildlife Watching Opportunities
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| When I think of the myriad of opportunities for hunting and outdoor activities, I think of Dorothy’s lessons from the movie, The Wizard of Oz, and Wisconsin.
If you’ve ever watched the 1939 movie, you’ll remember Dorothy repeatedly saying: “There’s no place like home.” I changed that to “there’s no place like Wisconsin.” And when it comes to waterfowl hunting and wildlife viewing, there’s no place like the Sandhill Wildlife Area in Wood County.
This is a gem hidden in plain sight in central Wisconsin. Here’s why planning a road trip to Sandhill is worth packing the vehicle with your waterfowl hunting gear and binoculars.
One Of A Kind: Northern, Southern Sections Offer Unique Prospects |
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| Sandhill is centrally located, which makes it a doable road trip from any part of the state.
Purchased in 1962, this place is huge – a 9,150-acre property. It is a mixed-use area providing incredible views of Wisconsin’s wildlife activities. This is why you’ll want the binoculars for your downtime between waterfowl hunts.
About half of its acreage is a refuge closed to hunting. This includes the Gallagher Marsh, known as a staging site for more than 5,000 sandhill cranes during the fall migration. That’s the northern half.
You may have heard of Sandhill for its applied wildlife research and habitat demonstration areas. However, did you know there also is a bison herd on the property? |
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Wild Duck &
Mushroom Cream Pasta
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| Connie Markham:
Avid Food Connoisseur |
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This hearty pasta recipe is an excellent way to enjoy wild duck while creating a comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners. The earthy mushrooms, garlic, herbs, and creamy Parmesan sauce pair beautifully with the rich flavor of wild duck.
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| Connie’s Story
Every duck I bring home tells the story of another unforgettable morning in the marsh. After a successful hunt with my chocolate Lab, Jade, there’s nothing more rewarding than turning that harvest into a meal my family can gather around.
This Wild Duck & Mushroom Cream Pasta is one of my favorite ways to prepare fresh wild duck. Tender duck breast, earthy mushrooms, fresh herbs, and a creamy Parmesan sauce come together for a comforting meal that’s simple enough for any weeknight yet special enough to share with family and friends.
For me, cooking wild game is about honoring the harvest and making the most of every bird. From the marsh to my kitchen, and finally to our family table, every meal is a reminder of the memories made outdoors and the people I love sharing them with.
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Ingredients
- Duck
- 2–4 wild duck breast fillets
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Pasta & Sauce
- 12 oz fettuccine or pappardelle pasta
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8 oz baby bella or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
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| Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
GO TO LINK FOR FULL RECIPE |
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| Bruce Urben,
WWA President |
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Evan Charles Casper, a Lomira, Wisconsin Decoy Carver and Waterfowler
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| Pictured: the carver, Evan Charles Casper. Photos credit: Evan Charles Casper |
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| Many of the decoy carvers that are featured in the Decoy Corner are blessed with grey hair and are AARP members. While hand-carved wood decoys were the only option in the 1800s through the 1930s, they began to fade during the 1940s when cork and a newly discovered product called Duralon (precursor to plastic) were all the rage. Don’t get me wrong, we still have many contemporary decoy carvers using their hand-carved decoys to hunt waterfowl, and even more who are making a living carving decoys!
This month’s carver fits that mold, but with a twist… he has only been carving for 6 years and is 20 years old! |
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| Evan Charles Casper comes from a family where his grandfather was a patternmaker and cabinetmaker, and his Dad was a machinist… both people who create things with their hands. The path forward is easy to see. |
| Evan carves both working and decorative decoys, and he hunts over his own decoys. His favorite species to carve is teal, while his least favorite is wigeon. He has carved most species of waterfowl, including loons and some shorebirds. Evan has carved 75 decoys to date and has been carving a Decoy of the Year for the last 2 years, in which he records each species harvested on that decoy. His style would be considered contemporary, with decoys featuring detail! His decoys represent the essence of the species, and he uses shading and blending on his feather detail, which is outstanding. |
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| This young man is an up-and-coming decoy carver. You can follow his work on his Facebook page “Finn and Feather Decoys,” where you will see his best friend and retriever, Finn, by his side while carving or on the water retrieving his ducks.
Evan Casper is a “new” Wisconsin original Decoy Carver! |
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Pointer FT6 Raffle
Grand Prize: Pointer FT6 20ga. Heat Tempered Side x Side Shotgun
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Need Not Be Present To WIN
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Drawing July 12th: WWA’s Class A – need not be present to win – Pointer FT6 Raffle
- Tickets just $10 each, only 250 sold – ONLY A FEW LEFT ONLINE!
- Drawing 3:30 pm July 12, 2026 at Ozaukee County Fish & Game Assoc, 5123 County Road Y, Fredonia, WI 53080
Tickets will be available online until 4:30 pm, July 10th, or until the raffle sells out. Any remaining tickets available for sale will be at Ozaukee County Fish & Game until the time of the drawing.
DETAILS:
- Raffles are conducted under the auspices of a state-issued, Class A license, noted on the ticket itself.
- 100% of the proceeds will further WWA’s non-profit purposes in Wisconsin.
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