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By Brad Heidel, WWA Executive Director
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| Turning over the helm of
The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association |
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| Many of you may or may not know that Bruce Ross, Wisconsin Waterfowl Executive Director, was an officer in the United States Coast Guard. So, in the spirit of the US Coast Guard, on September 25th of 2025, Mr. Ross turned over the helm of The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association to me. Needless to say, I graciously accepted the new role.
I would like to think that the days spent in the marsh were the beginning of a career with great non-profit organizations working for wildlife. Those include leadership positions with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants and Quail Forever, International Hunter Education Association, and Delta Waterfowl. All HUNTER-based organizations
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is the duck hunter’s organization for the state. You can rest assured that if it does not benefit Wisconsin ducks or duck hunters, our/your organization will not do it.
READ ON… |
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| By Mark Pfost, WWA Public Lands Ecologist |
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Teal Opener 2025
Meadow Valley State Wildlife Area
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| My primary objective this year was not birds, but to watch the day wake up on this Meadow Valley wetland restoration. Bruce Ross mentioned this project in his September column, but I want to add to that story. The more I looked around, the more impressed I was with the way it turned out.
Ever since the dirt work was completed last winter, I’ve wondered about the vegetative response—after all, vegetation is what makes the habitat.
What did I see: — duck food! |
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Brushing of the Blinds at WWA’s Abrams Property in Time for South Season Opening
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| Volunteers from WWA’s Green Bay chapter spent the afternoon of Sunday, September 28, brushing in the three duck blinds at WWA’s Abrams project property in Southern Oconto County. |
| The Abrams property also features five wheelchair-accessible deer blinds, located throughout the property, and is connected by accessible crushed gravel trails.
For more information about the location of the blinds and expectations, please visit wisducks.org/abrams-property/ |
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| By Matthew Martin, Southwest Wisconsin Chapter |
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14th Annual WWA
Craig Martin
Legacy Youth Duck Hunt
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| On September 20th, 2025, six area youth were introduced to duck hunting by members of the Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. The participants were invited out to the Duck Inn Lodge, where they learned about local duck species, duck hunting methods, and gun safety. |
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Family Traditions, Lessons Of Waterfowl Hunting Lead To Warden Career And Life Appreciation
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| By DNR Warden Steven Swiertz |
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| On autumn days when I am not on warden duty, chances are good you’ll find me chasing waterfowl – something I learned to appreciate and enjoy from my father and grandfather on our family’s long-held tradition of annual duck hunts. |
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| I credit my father and my two grandfathers with instilling in me a true love and passion not only for waterfowl hunting, but for the outdoors in general. Each guided me, in their own ways.
Most of my fondest memories involve these three extraordinary men and a duck blind. Without hesitation, I would not be where I am today without them.
My father said something that I will never forget. “The reason why you and I are able to be out here enjoying what we love to do is because those two men gave up what they love to do to make sure we are safe.” I carry that with me as I go about my day-to-day duties. |
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Burton (Burt) Kannenberg – Milwaukee Decoy Carver and Waterfowler
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| By Bruce Urben, WWA President
All photos courtesy Wisconsin Sporting Collectibles |
| Several excellent decoy carvers worked at the Milwaukee Public Museum in the 1930s. Burt Kannenberg was among them, having been tutored by Owen Gromme at the museum.
Burt’s decoys were considered more functional than beautiful, yet all reflected a distinctly folky style, characteristic of the “Milwaukee School.” It is said that Burt had no single favorite duck-hunting spot; instead, he moved from pothole to pothole, from lake to stream, and then to a field, following the ducks. |
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