| As February begins, it’s a reminder that waterfowl seasons across the country have come to a close. That always brings a bit of melancholy. But waterfowl hunters are eternally optimistic, so like many of you, I’m already looking ahead to a possible spring snow goose hunt and, before we know it, opening day of the teal season. Thinking about what’s ahead also brings to mind our Waterfowler’s Academy and the ongoing need to recruit new hunters. |
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| WWA hosted five Waterfowler’s Academy novice hunter events:
*Craig Martin Legacy Youth Hunt – Prairie du Chien Chapter
*Green Bay Learn to Hunt Event – Green Bay Chapter
*Crex Meadows Learn to Hunt – WWA partnership with Pheasants Forever
*For Women, By Women Learn to Hunt – Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
*Learn to Cook Waterfowl Demonstration – McKenzie Environmental Center |
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| The WWA Waterfowl Hunters Expo welcomed more than 10,000 attendees. The Expo provides opportunities for hunters at every stage of the Waterfowler’s Arc
WWA partnered with the UpDuck Podcast to produce a weekly “Migration Report” short-format podcast throughout the 2025 waterfowl season.
Our WWA Wood Duck Educational Curriculum – designed, created, and tested by Brillion School District teachers Ryan and Jessica Peterson |
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Breaking New Grounds
WWA’s 1st Town Hall Meeting
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| With Taylor Finger,
DNR Game Bird Specialist |
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| We’re excited to share that WWA recently hosted our very first Town Hall Meeting—and what a success it was! With strong attendance and great engagement, it was an incredible opportunity to connect directly with our members and the waterfowling community. Thank you to everyone who joined us. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to hosting more Town Halls in the future. |
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| Topics included:
• Mississippi River Flyway update
• 2025 waterfowl season recap
• Setting seasons for 2026–2030 |
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| Review the 2025 waterfowl season and plan for 2026–2030 regulations.
Key Takeaways
- 2026–2030 Season Framework: The DNR is setting a multi-year framework to streamline the annual process, which is justified by data showing 90% of regulations remain unchanged year-to-year. Public input is critical to shape this framework.
- PFAS Contamination: A “do not eat” advisory was issued for mallards from the southern Green Bay Area of Concern (AOC) due to high PFAS levels, especially in juveniles. The DNR is expanding testing statewide.
- Mississippi Flyway Dynamics: The USFWS is disengaging from the flyway system, forcing states to fund their own research (e.g., a new scaup strategy). The flyway is also pushing back on Louisiana’s request to ban flooded corn, citing biological shifts in migration patterns.
- Mallard Genetics: A study found 75% of urban Wisconsin mallards have European game farm genetics, a fitness-reducing trait. The USFWS has ignored flyway requests to ban captive-reared mallards.
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Migratory Season Structure Survey for 2026-2030
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| WWA & WI DNR Invite Hunters to Help Shape Future Duck Seasons. Note that these seasons will be in effect for the next 5 Years – now is the time to voice your opinion:
Survey Closes February 15th, 2026
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| By Mark Pfost:
Public Lands Ecologist |
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Little Yellow River Watershed Project:
Phase II Update
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| A lot has happened since September 2024, when I wrote that WWA had taken on its largest project ever—we were going to partner with Necedah National Wildlife Refuge and Meadow Valley State Wildlife Area to restore wetlands in the Little Yellow River Watershed (LYR). We’re doing just that. There is not a day when my mind doesn’t end up in LYR for at least a few minutes, but since you don’t need to be similarly preoccupied, I’ll start with a short synopsis |
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2026 Waterfowl Hunters EXPO
Right of First Refusal Ends Feb 15
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| As a 2025 partner, you have Right of First Refusal on your sponsorship / exhibit position, which will remain in place through February 15, 2026. After that date, remaining opportunities will be released to new partners. |
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2025 WHEXPO Recap
- + 10,000 attendees
- 63% growth over 2025
- 153 vendors occupying 220 booths
- Seminars, demos, presentations
- Youth Zone hosted +700 kids
- New Women’s Zone +3000
- 208 volunteers
- 400 shooters
- Over 500 dogs – and no fights!
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Show Highlights
- Waterfowl Hunting Exhibitors
- Duck Dog Zone
- Youth Zone
- Women’s Zone
- Decoy Carving Contest
- Duck & Goose Calling
- State Stamp Contest
- Shooting Venue
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Two Sponsorship Pathways for 2026
This year, we are offering two ways to get involved:
1. WWA & WHE Year-Round Partnership
A comprehensive, integrated sponsorship that provides visibility across the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s statewide platforms leading up to and through the 2026 EXPO.
2. WHE Standalone Sponsorship
A focused EXPO-specific partnership with high-impact branding, on-site activation opportunities, and exclusive show benefits.
I’d love to schedule a brief call to share the 2026 sponsorship deck, walk through the structure, and discuss where your brand fits best. |
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| By George Ermert, WWA Board Member and Policy Committee Chair |
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Bill To Allow Responsible Sandhill Crane Hunting Season Passed Committees, Awaiting Action by Full Legislature
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| Legislation that will allow a responsible sandhill crane hunting season in Wisconsin is advancing and is now awaiting action by the full state Assembly and Senate.
Over the last several years, WWA has organized a coalition of partners to advance this issue and has compiled background research and data to educate lawmakers, hunters, and the public. Some of the key partners working with WWA to bring a responsible sandhill crane season to Wisconsin include: Delta Waterfowl Foundation, Safari Club International, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Ducks Unlimited. |
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Let’s Scout For Success! Be Where The Ducks Are
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| Column and Photographs By DNR Conservation Warden Heather Hunt |
| When it comes to successful waterfowl hunts in the new year, you need to be where the ducks are.
How do you do that?
Scout!
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Basic Duck Scouting Tips
- Locate food sources and roosting sites…
Once You Find Ducks – Do This
- Study how the ducks are feeding. Is it a food source or a roosting site? Make a note on the time of day…
Lessons From My Scouting
- I started with a mapping application. I looked for one that shows recent imagery so I could get an idea of the water and vegetation levels. The DNR mapping tool is a good resource to determine whether a lake has public access…
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| Zach Heredia,
Wild Game Chef and Hunter |
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Venison Backstrap Sliders
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Venison Backstrap Sliders are juicy, flavor-packed mini sandwiches perfect for game day, camp, or a casual family meal. Tender backstrap is simply seasoned, seared to perfection, and stacked on soft slider buns with your favorite toppings. Don’t have venison? No problem—this versatile recipe works just as well with duck, goose, or any protein of your choice, making it an easy go-to for any wild game (or domestic meat) in your freezer.
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Instructions
- Mix Sauce: Combine shallot, chile, garlic, vinegar, and salt. Let sit for 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro, parsley, and oregano, then whisk in the olive oil.
- Sear: Season venison medallions heavily with salt and pepper. Sear in a hot cast iron skillet with olive oil for 2 minutes per side (aim for 130°F internal).
- Rest: Let the meat rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice : Slice the venison loin across the grain into thin medallions
- Toast: Halve the bread and toast the cut sides until golden and crisp.
- Assemble: Place the venison on the bottom bun and spoon a heavy portion of the chimichurri directly over the meat so the oils soak into the bread. Top with the remaining bun.
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| By Bruce Urben, WWA President |
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Myron Frisque – Green Bay Decoy Carver and Waterfowler “Like Father Like Son”
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| I have written several articles about Green Bay decoy carvers, but this father-and-son team produced some of the area’s finest canvasback decoys. As you will see, both father and son were avid waterfowlers on the Bay of Green Bay and the Fox River. Their decoys were used hard year after year, so many are found with repairs or touchups! The following is a short article about Eugene and Myron Frisque and their beautiful working GreenBay decoys.
Eugene and Myron carved solid-wood decoys with convex bottoms. Their decoys were similar in construction, with wide bodies and upswept tails. They were painted with oil paint that represented the species. Myron’s redheads and buffleheads had some painted wing detail. Myron’s head had some carved detail at the head/bill interface and some mandible separation. Myron’s dad labeled the bottom of his decoys with EF, while Myron would stencil his name on the bottom of his decoys… |
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| Grand Prize: Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0 9mm Pistol with 5 15/18 Magazines PLUS Range Bag & Crimson Trace CT1500 Red Dot Optic |
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Springfield Armory Echelon Raffle
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WWA’s Class A – need not be present to win – Springfield Armory Echelon Raffle
- Tickets just $10 each, only 250 sold
- Drawing 7:00 pm February 24, 2026 at Coach’s on the Lake, W186S10857 Racine Ave, Muskego, WI
Get your tickets securely online below. Tickets will be available until 12:00 noon February 23rd or until the raffle sells out. Any remaining tickets available for sale will be at Coach’s until the time of the drawing. |
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