November 2025
Monthly Newsletter
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| Brad Heidel
Executive Director Wisconsin Waterfowl Association |
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| It’s prime time!
The birds are migrating, and this is the moment we look forward to all year long. |
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We are also at a critical time of the year where Wisconsin Waterfowl Association and you can make a difference. That is why I will be asking a lot of you as we push into the new year. We are at some critical points when it comes to the legislative work that we do as the voice of the 58,000 waterfowl hunters in this state:
- Sandhill Crane Hunt
- Knowles – Nelson Stewardship Fund
- Future Waterfowl Seasons & Bag Limits
- Your Membership Makes a Difference
And last but of the most importance is my request for your membership (provided your not already a member). As a waterfowl hunter your voice needs to be heard. Our voice is stronger when we have the numbers behind that voice.
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Third Annual Women’s Learn To Waterfowl Hunt
By Alexandra Ezell |
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Ten new women stepped into the marsh this weekend
and walked out as waterfowl hunters.
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The Waterfowlers Academy For Women, By Women gave these new lady hunters the full dive: moving targets, firearm safety, bird ID, conservation, habitat, rules, ethics, and every muddy lesson in between.
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| These ladies came hungry to learn — and our mentors showed up relentlessly in passing on their knowledge. We couldn’t do this without them or the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Waterfowlers Academy, who continue to help us build something that’s changing the landscape for women in the outdoors. |
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WWA x Grants
By Bruce Ross |
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| While revenue from members and chapter events has remained roughly consistent for several years, WWA’s impact within its missions has grown substantially. The fuel powering this growth is primarily WWA’s improved ability to identify and successfully apply for grant funding. |
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WWA is currently managing grants totaling $2,877,380 from our federal, state, and private-sector partners—that’s up over 700% in the past 7 years. Over 95% of those grants are focused on WWA’s habitat mission. These include grants to:
- Undertake projects (such as the Little Yellow River initiative, pictured above),
- Fund engineering studies (e.g., Jackson Marsh),
- Support the monitoring of uplands and wetlands (NRCS initiative), and
- Review and undertake restorations on state lands (under agreement with the WDNR).
More members and donations = more grants = more habitat work |
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WWA Green Bay Chapter Holds 18th Annual Learn to Hunt Waterfowl Event
By Bruce Urben, President |
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| The Green Bay Chapter of WWA held its 18th annual Learn to Hunt waterfowl program at the Pittsfield Trap Club near Pulaski, WI, on October 17-18. The ten students who registered for the event met on Friday afternoon at the trap club and began with classroom instruction. |
| All ten students had opportunities to work with ducks and geese. Only four students left without bagging a bird or two! Harvest included four Geese, two bluebills, a gadwall, two teal, and a pair of ringnecks. They were able to observe the demonstration of processing their ducks and geese, and many shared their favorite recipes. |
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| 10 students hosted by Green Bay Chapter of the WWA |
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WWA and Conservation Partners Help
State Lawmakers Experience Wisconsin’s
Sporting Heritage
By George Ermert, WWA Board Member and Policy Committee Chair |
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| Pictured above, Wisconsin lawmakers, staff, and conservation groups at the 2026 Wisconsin Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Clay Shoot |
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| Educating policymakers about Wisconsin’s sporting heritage is an essential part of our advocacy mission.
That’s why WWA and our conservation partners came out for a sporting clays / instructional shoot with members and staff from the Wisconsin Legislature.
More than 30 lawmakers and staff came out in September to interact with representatives from many conservation groups working in Wisconsin and experience what we love most. |
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Speak Up for the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program Today!
By George Ermert, WWA Board Member and Policy Committee Chair |
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The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, along with several of our partners, has been advocating for the reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program in Wisconsin.
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| Since 1989, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program has provided more access and opportunities for outdoor pursuits such as hunting, fishing, and trapping.
But the program is set to expire in June 2026.
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Help us urge state lawmakers to continue this critical program in Wisconsin. Please click here to contact your lawmaker and tell them that YOU want to see this program continue!
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Canada Goose Hunt Resounding Success
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| By DNR Conservation Warden Chuck Wincek
Photos courtesy of Fallen Outdoors |
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| I am excited to tell you about an outstanding team of local, state, and federal partners who came together to host a waterfowl hunt in honor of area military veterans who sacrificed so much for our country.
It is known as the Veterans Canada Good Hunt. |
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| A key feature supporting inclusive outdoor access is the ADA-accessible hunting and wildlife viewing blind at the Erickson Waterfowl Production Area.
The blind is located at New Richmond WI. |
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Alfred “Al” Sang – Oshkosh Decoy and Wood Carver
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| Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was a waterfowling hotbed during the early 1900s. With Lake Winnebago on its shore and the Fox River running through it, the area attracted scores of migrating waterfowl. |
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| Alfred “Al” Sang’s carved more than 1,000 decoys in his lifetime, including canvasbacks, bluebills, mallards, coots, and geese. His pine wood heads had detailed bill carving and were attached to the body with a wood dowel. Al used a straightforward paint scheme on his working decoys using oil-based paint, which portrayed an actual duck on the water. His gunning decoys always had a lead strip attached to the bottom as ballast weight. Al was also known to have produced several waterfowling skiffs and paddles during his lifetime. |
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Grand Prize: Retay ACE 12ga 3.5″ Mag. Max 7 Semi-Auto Shotgun –
MSRP $1150!
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WWA’s Class A – need not be present to win
- Tickets just $20 each, only 150 sold
- Drawing 7:00 pm December 4, 2025 at Rustic Manor 1848, 3115 State Rd 83, Hartland, WI
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