The Milwaukee Post

The Natural Resources Board met in Horicon to discuss some hot topics pertaining to waterfowl hunting. At the meeting last month, Don Kirby, the executive director for the Wales-based Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, gave his two cents on the topics. The WWA has always played a key role in not only protecting and creating wetlands but also fighting for the rights of hunters. "WWA was founded 31 years ago by concerned folks who felt their voices were not being heard in Madison," Kirby said. "Thus, advo- cacy on behalf of hunters is the genesis of our work, all our other efforts are expansions from that original intent. I testified in sup- port of this year's season proposal, most specifically to acknowledge the response to my testimony from last year where I presented the case for the elimination of the delayed start on opening days." One topic was about keeping the waterfowl opener to 30 minutes before sunrise. "By eliminating the delayed start on opening days (may be different days in the three zones), it allows waterfowl hunters to experience the full horizon of opportunity on the first day of the season," Kirby said. "Although one may be suc- cessful hunting waterfowl at any time of the day, their biology dic- tates that first light can be some of the greatest activity. For years, tra- dition in Wisconsin meant not starting until noon on the first day. About a decade ago, that was changed to 9 a.m, which itself was a compromise between those who liked the delay. And those who wanted to start at the same time one can on any other day. Especially for those who might only hunt ducks for a weekend or two, this will be a really great change. Wisconsin was the only state in the nation which still had a delayed start, and so now we'll enjoy the same privilege so many others have long held." Another change is that canvas- backs can now be harvested, which for the bulk of a Wisconsin water- fowler's life was not allowed. "This is an opportunity based on federal population estimates," Kirby said. "When the spring sur- veys are taken, depending on the count, the season structure may be set for zero, one or two 'cans.' We're fortunate here in Wisconsin, with one of the greatest congregations of canvasbacks in the continent, right on the Mississippi River, although they can also be found in good numbers on Green Bay, the Winnebago chain, Horicon and dis- persed around somewhat. It's good news for duck hunters, as the can is seen as a bit of a great white whale for some hunters, a trophy and, of course, is one held in high regard as tablefare as well." Also in the mix was a change in the rules for the Mississippi River Zone, which changed to a seven-day split rather than a 12-day season. "The 12-day season split seen the past couple of years was instituted, so the River Zone could start as early as possible and still hunt as late as possible," he said. "This year, those most interested in hunt- ing this area didn't want to open as early as in years past. I believe this might already be a sign of influ- ence from the experimental early teal season — as hunters now have the opportunity to target teal in this season before they begin their early migration to points south." Kirby added that during the sea- son-setting debates over the past few weeks, The WWA voted in favor of a five-day split to ensure the extra two "weekend days" in October instead of the two week- days in December, since even with a five-day split the season would already extend into the first week of the last month of the year. "Following the debate period, the majority desired the seven-day split, and so WWA approved this proposal in a compromise," Kirby said. "We all need to remember we're all in this together." The WWA had no official stance on the early teal season because its membership was split on the topic. "WWA was not able to take a position on the three-year experi- mental early teal season last year," Kirby said. "Our membership was nearly perfectly divided: half strongly approved of the additional opportunity, one enjoyed by states to our south for decades, while the other half is deeply opposed to the early hunt, believing that the extra disturbance in the field will dis- place the mallards, woodies and other ducks which can't be hunted until later in the fall and that this hunt will result in a significant amount of illegal, non-target take." Kirby said that, although the results from last year's hunt in Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa looked good, with only a limited non-target take, WWA members are still quite divided on this issue. "Frankly, it will be very interest- ing, even to me to see how this all shakes out," he said. (Dan Durbin writes an outdoors column for the Post. Call Durbin at 262-644-7940, or email him at ddurbin@bastdurbin.com if you have a story idea.) Major changes in store for waterfowl season DAN DURBIN NFL preseason games are stupid. For a league that talks about being con- cerned about the health of its players, it makes no sense to play games that don't count for anything. I'm tired of the games and even more tired of those defending the waste-of-time games. The coaches don't need the preseason con- tests to learn about the players on the team and to select the proper 53 men on the regu- lar-season roster. The players don't need the games to get ready for the regular season. It's all made up. The games are played because of the money they make. Money. Money. Money. Eliminating all the preseason games won't prevent all injuries to the players. Players will still get hurt in practices. They just won't get hurt in stupid, meaningless, they-don't-need-to-keep-score games. To end all preseason games is not a Stephen Hawking-type suggestion. This is something that takes the average intelligence of a 4K class. They don't need such games in high school to get the team ready. There were no preseason games for the college football teams opening the season this weekend. So, the youngest and weakest don't need preseason games, but the best and smartest football football players in the world need such contests? Wrong. If such games were necessary or believed to be beneficial for the start of the regular season, wouldn't high school and college coaches be demanding such games to improve the level of play? It has never hap- pened. No coaches or school officials ever complain about the poor play in the first game of a season for high school or college teams and ask that preseason games should be added to the schedule. It's never said because everyone at that level realizes it would be stupid to play such games. No one wants to play a game which doesn't count and risk possible injuries to some players on the team. No one but the NFL. It's likely that the four play-for-nothing games will be a two-game schedule in the near future. The NFL should go all the way and eliminate the entire preseason. To make up the money it steals from the fans in the preseason games, the NFL should add another bye week during the regular sea- son. They could play 16 games in 18 weeks and should be able to get their appropriate share of the extra money from the TV net- works. If that's not enough money, then they should expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams and get all the new money from the additional playoff games. If that's not good enough, the NFL leaders who have proven to be excellent at making billions for the owners are smart enough to create other ways to make up for lost presea- son revenue. All that's known for sure is that preseason games must end. They are stupid. Almost as stupid as all the people associated with the NFL not will- ing to say it. I'm clearly more 4K than Stephen Hawking and I've figured it out. * * * ESPN the magazine and espn.com have an interview about the condition of Packers great Bart Starr. It is so good, so moving that it will generate some tears and probably much more emotion. It will also do the amaz- ing. It will make you feel that Brett Favre's appearance at the Thanksgiving night game is almost irrelevant. They are retiring his number, and he doesn't matter. All that matters is whether or not Starr is able to make his hoped-for appearance. The only ones cheering for Favre will be the few that did not read this article. Favre is deserving of the greatest standing ova- tion in the history of Packers football, but he's now just the lounge act to the main event. Ian O'Connor's interview with Cherry Starr and Bart Starr Jr. is that good. September 4, 2015 • Milwaukee County Post • 11 "HOMER" on SPORTS STEVE "The HOMER" TRUE (Steve "The Homer" True, host of "Homer and Thunder Show," heard from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays on 540 ESPN, can be reached at homer@espnmilwau- kee.com) NFL preseason is all about the money SPORTS

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