A local legislator is only the second person to earn an award through the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA).
Opening a meeting at the Viking Gun Club outside of Valders, the organization presented its 2025 Policymaker of the Year Award to Representative Paul Tittl.
The Manitowoc Republican thanked the WWA for the award while supporting its message of getting younger people involved in hunting.
“I love it when my kids are out and my grandkids,” he explained. “And they are actually carrying on now the tradition and are going to. Like, my grandson got his first turkey this year. He’s just so thrilled.”
Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Executive Director Brad Heidel told attendees that the group also supported Rep. Tittl’s bill to bring a sandhill crane hunt to Wisconsin.
Although it didn’t make it to Governor Tony Evers’ desk, Tittl promised, “Sandhill cranes is not done. We’re bringing it back next year. Send me back (to Madison), and I’ll bring it back for you.”
Heidel also highlighted the work they do supporting the 61,000 waterfowl hunters in the Badger State.
While they do fundraise, they also advocate for legislation in Madison, including support for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
The grant provided funding to save natural areas in Wisconsin.
Although it still exists, Rep. Tittl noted the grant fund has no money in it.
“But it’s something that’s still on the books,” he explained. “We’re still going to do everything we possibly can to get that funded moving forward.”
Tittl was also a supporter of returning money to the fund for the 2025-2027 state budget.
