Greg and Banquet Team,
 
​Just wanted to take a moment to say " Thank You" for an OUTSTANDING dinner event this past Sunday. You and your team did a phenomenal job keeping things on track and running smoothly. As a Life Member of CWA, I am making it my personal mission to grow CWA using the "R3" principles (Recruit, Retain, Reactivate) currently being deployed throughout other shooting sports organizations. To echo your comments at the dinner Greg, " there is no reason why EVERY waterfowler in Connecticut shouldn't be member of CWA".
 
Well done ladies and gentlemen, well done!!

Dieter Bromkamp
April 18th 2018
In 2015 and 2016 my three children participated in the CWA’s Waterfowl Hunter Mentor Program. I cannot say enough about how wonderful this experience was for my kids! They loved every minute. From setting up in the field and blind to discussions on migration patterns of geese. These days were filled with laughter, learning and hunting. Thank you to Greg Chasko, Rich Chmiel, Min Huang and the dogs!  David Hughes, Killingworth, CT
There was a magical element at work voyaging into the field at dawn, a brisk chill in the air and low-lying fog tracing the treeline, with Greg Chasko and a few other hunters with CWA. By first light the first black trails of geese loomed in relief against a pewter sky like ribbons, and then, finally, into range as they flared directly in front of our dugout above the decoys. No time to think. Squeeze the trigger. Bang. And a magnificent specimen tumbled from the sky. One of the best hunting experiences I have ever had. Magical. Jonathan Green, Longmeadow, MA
During my 30 years working for the DEP (now DEEP) Wildlife Division, the CWA was always a great Partner! From contributing to wetland conservation projects to erecting educational signs at heavily hunted coastal sites, CWA was a huge asset to the Wildlife Division. Their “Hunt Smart” Program to educate hunters about proper hunting etiquette was a great tool to ensure that waterfowl hunters understood the challenges of hunting in view of the mostly non-hunting public. CWA also participated on some of the Wildlife Division’s Hunting Review Team’s evaluations of the suitability of hunting occurring in some tight areas. And, CWA was always there to purchase needed items when the Wildlife Division was in a time crunch and not able to obtain things through the insanely bureaucratic and slow state purchasing system! Greg Chasko, East Haddam, CT
The CWA has worked with the DEEP Wildlife Division to protect and enhance wetlands throughout the state, recruit new hunters into the sport, and supply competent volunteers for our projects.  The CWA is truly living up to their mission statement and I look forward to partnering with them for years to come.  The following are just a few examples of my experiences working with them over the years. 
 
The CWA and the Wildlife Division have cooperatively held an annual wood duck box building day since before my employment here at the DEEP.  The Wildlife Division supplies the hardware and pre-cut lumber, while the CWA provides the manpower to assemble the boxes.  The majority of the finished boxes are then utilized by the Wildlife Division for installation on DEEP properties.  This past year 125 boxes were constructed!  This stellar effort from CWA members facilitated the Wildlife Division in replacing and installing over 100 new boxes this winter.  Since the inception of this partnership, CWA members have probably constructed thousands of wood duck boxes that have potentially produced tens of thousands of ducklings. 
 
CWA members not only construct boxes, but they install and maintain them too.  Rich Chmiel is a great example of one CWA member who does just that.  Each year Rich installs, replaces, and collects biological data from boxes in eastern Connecticut.  He then supplies the Wildlife Division with this data so it can be included in our yearly box analysis.  His dedication and commitment to the program has allowed the Wildlife Division to spend more time maintaining boxes on other properties throughout the state.
 
CWA has also supplied funding for various projects over the years.  One recent project was the rehabilitation of the handicap accessible waterfowl hunting blind at Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area.  The blind was in need of repair due to both its age and recent issues with vandalism.  The Wildlife Division was able to get this blind back in great shape because the CWA generously agreed to supply the materials for its refurbishment.
 
I can always count on CWA members (and sometimes their children) for providing assistance on some of our research projects.  Whether it is helping to corral geese for banding or setting up a mist net for woodcock trapping CWA members are always there to lend a hand.  Kelly Kubik, Wildlife Biologist, CT DEEP