Science & Outdoors
Photo by Jeremy Durst
Jeremy Durst after a morning of goose hunting this year.
WDNR calls in new waterfowl hunting regulations
The Pointer
jtowl695@uwsp.edu
The opening day of duck season is right around the corner and for hunters all across the state, “getting back in the swing of things” will mean a slight change in routine this year. Saturday, Sept. 26 marks the joyous or sad day, depending on whether you inhabit land or water on a regular basis.
Traditionally, U.S. 10, which runs through Stevens Point has been the dividing line for the northern and southern waterfowl hunting zones in Wisconsin. The newly constructed U.S. 10 runs parallel to the familiar boundaries but has been rerouted to the north. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, this change will not affect the northern and southern zones of duck hunting.
Though the zones remain intact, changes to open water hunting regulations will be effective Oct. 1. Open water hunting restrictions previously required a hunter to remain within natural emergent vegetation during which time, boat, blind and hunter were to be wholly or at least partially concealed. While it was understood by some that partial concealment meant at least 50 percent, the new rule establishes it as such, and leaves no room for quacks of the hunting realm.
In addition, the new rule requires that the concealment of the hunter, boat and blind be visible horizontally from at least one direction, according to the DNR.
As before, natural emergent vegetation must be rooted from the bottom; however, waterfowl hunting can now take place within three feet of the specified vegetation. The prevention of open water hunting is favored by hunters of waterfowl because it is the location for staging and resting during the birds’ migration.
For many hunters, waterfowl hunting is not just a sport, but a lifestyle change come fall. For Jeremy Durst, a resource management law enforcement major at the University of Wisconsin -Stevens Point, preparation begins months before the season opens. Waking up at 3:30 a.m. on school days is a consolation for the avid waterfowl hunter of eight years.
The scene of a hunter tucked in his blind with a dog at his feet, surrounded by the honks and clucks of landing geese is a familiar one for Durst. “Flagging, calling and working the birds in, is to me, the most exciting part of waterfowl hunting,” said Durst. “Getting the chance to watch hundreds of geese drop and land in your decoys is an indescribable sight, one that everyone should experience.”
It’s safe to say that waterfowl hunting is well underway, with duck season opening this weekend and regular goose season in its first week. For more information, consult the 2009 Wisconsin Migratory Bird Regulations, which can be found on the DNR Web site. With so many eyes on the sky this weekend, one can only hope for maxed-out bag limits. Happy hunting!
