CHANGE IN ORANGE REQUIREMENT TAKES EFFECT HARRISBURG -

Following publication in the March 29 edition of the PA Bulletin, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that hunters planning to participate in the upcoming spring gobbler season will no longer be required to wear fluorescent orange.

On Jan. 29, the Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a regulatory change to remove the fluorescent orange requirements for the spring gobbler hunters.

Publication in the PA Bulletin was the final step required for the change to take effect, and applies for the upcoming 2008 spring gobbler season, which is set for April 26-May 26, as well as the youth spring gobbler day on April 19.

"Various members of Pennsylvania's hunting community for some time have urged the Game Commission to reevaluate its regulatory mandate for turkey hunters wear at least 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange-colored material on the head while moving about or relocating during the spring turkey season," said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. "The safety of hunters afield is, without a doubt, one of the paramount concerns of the Game Commission. But, the available statistical data relating to hunting-related shooting incidents during the spring turkey season shows that there is no clear evidence that the fluorescent orange requirement has made any appreciable reduction in spring gobbler hunting-related shooting incidents.

"After a thorough review, the Game
Commission concluded eliminating the orange requirement for spring turkey hunting was acceptable. However, if we see a change in the number of hunting-related shooting incidents, this policy will be re-evaluated."

Yipee, it's about time!

On the two farms I hunt, I think I will continue to wear it while moving on one of them.  Not sure who is there sometimes as the farmer allows hunters that ask.

And just think Slinsky and the USP guys are always saying the PGC never listens to the hunters