That’s not just a hopeful greeting, but an invitation to take a break from the battles with winter weather and spend a day or two in a duck or goose blind; in a manner of speaking. Two events of importance to waterfowl enthusiasts are happening at the same place, at the same time, on the first weekend of February. They’re quite different in character, but definitely follow the same marshy theme.

The Minne- sota Wat erfowl Association and Minnesota Decoy Collec- tors Association are both present- ing a slate of activities at the Ramada Inn just across I-494 from the Mall of America, in Bloomington. To those of my generation, it’s the old Thunderbird Inn of independent hotel days, its décor still in the Native American theme that inspired its original name.

If it’s duck management and a look into the crystal ball for a glimpse of the future of waterfowl hunting you’re interested in, the Minnesota Waterfowl Association is hosting a symposium (free of charge) featuring leading waterfowl and wetlands experts from Minnesota, neighboring Upper Midwest states and Canada.

If it’s the lore, tradition and romance of waterfowl hunting that stirs you, the Minnesota Decoy Collectors Association is holding its annual show on the same weekend, in the same building. For this annual event the hotel’s main hall transforms into a seemingly endless display of collectible duck, goose and even shorebird decoys, for sale or trade.

The décor of the hotel site is especially fitting, since the oldest known waterfowl decoys in North America were made by Native Americans living in the Southwest, found in Lovelock Cave in what is now Nevada, dating back roughly a thousand years. From the mid-1800’s onward, American makers – both individuals and small factories – carried on and perfected the tradition of what is considered a true American folk art.

Some of the finest hunting-style duck and goose decoys, both old and collectible and those contemporarily carved, are auctioned at this event to support the decoy association’s historical and cultural mission. There’s also a “best bird” contest for carvers and vendors will display and sell waterfowl hunting memorabilia, from duck calls to advertising art to sporting books and much more.

Shifting gears for a moment, the Minnesota Waterfowl Association is a state-focused equivalent of the national Ducks Unlimited organization. MWA’s aims are to raise funds for wetlands management projects within Minnesota’s borders and to organize hunters and exert pressure on the “powers that be” for better management of the waterfowl resource here in Minnesota.

MWA has gone through a rough patch lately, with questions raised about the effectiveness of its financial management. But it has righted its ship (or duck boat) and is back on track as an important voice in state waterfowl advocacy. MWA, many will recall, was instrumental in helping pass the state waterfowl hunting stamp legislation in the 1960’s, whose funds are used for waterfowl habitat acquisition and improvement in Minnesota.

MWA and its members also worked long and hard to support and pass the 2008 Minnesota constitutional amendment dedicating a portion of state sales

tax revenues to natural

resources. The multiple “duck rally” events held at

the state Capitol to lobby for this dedicated funding were supported by MWA and its membership.

Much of the impetus for the state’s wood duck nesting box program is owed to MWA. To this day, the organization continues to make wood duck box kits available to anyone who wants to participate in what has become one of the most successful wildlife conservation stories of our time, bringing a threatened game species back to genuine abundance.

Space at the Feb. 6, MWA waterfowl symposium is limited, so those interested in sitting in on some, or all, of its sessions are encouraged to contact the MWA office at 952-767-0320. You can also check out MWA online at www.mnwaterfowl. com.

In contrast to the oneday MWA symposium, the Minnesota Decoy Collectors Association event runs both Friday and Saturday. Friday night’s hours are 4-9 p.m. and the price of admission is the annual membership fee (which includes all members of the family). The decoy auction is on Friday evening. Saturday’s hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a small donation fee for those age 18 or older. More information is available by calling 952-440- 4767, or 507-732-7074. Or, go to www.mndecoycollectors. com.