EXCITEMENT BUILDING FOR THE FALL TURKEY SEASON HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports that sizeable wild turkey populations await hunters across the Commonwealth, but finding them may be a challenge because fall foods are in great supply in many areas.
"Wild turkey reproduction in Pennsylvania this spring and early summer was sort of off the chart statewide and above-average in most Wildlife Management Units (WMUs)," explained Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist. "This is a welcomed change for our turkey population after successive wet or cold springs that hampered poult production and survival in recent years.
"There will be a noticeable difference for hunters who get out and get into turkeys this fall, because local populations should provide good to excellent hunting. But finding birds may be a challenge, because the availability of fall foods - particularly acorns - throughout the state will increase the territory turkeys cover making them harder to find. That's why pre-season and in-season scouting will be important to hunters this year."
Casalena noted that participation in fall turkey hunting, as well as fall harvests, have been declining recently. Both had been related to factors that included reduced reproduction and recruitment; a population with more smarter, older birds, the availability and distribution of fall foods and weather. The fall turkey season also occurs when many other hunting seasons are open, and there likely are some tradeoffs for a hunter's time.
"If you are one of the hunters who hasn't been turkey hunting lately, this is the year to begin again," emphasized Casalena. "Summer turkey reproduction, as calculated from our summer turkey sighting surveys, on a statewide basis was the highest on record. Remember though, with this fall's acorn crop, turkey flocks will tend to be dispersed and difficult to locate. So scouting will be essential, especially in areas with short, fall seasons, because locating a flock is 90 percent of the sport. So get out early and often.
"If you are given the opportunity, consider taking a young turkey and passing up an adult. Adults are more experienced and have a higher probability of surviving into and being more successful breeders next spring."
Turkey hunters are coming off an average 2007 spring gobbler season, which, even though average is much higher than most other states' harvests. Preliminary harvest estimates indicate 41,000 bearded turkeys were taken - including about 1,500 birds taken on the second or "special spring gobbler season licenses." The 2007 preliminary spring harvest compares with a final 2006 spring harvest of 39,300 (the preliminary 2006 spring estimate was 44,000). Preliminary harvest estimates are developed from harvest report card returns; final harvest figures are a product of the agency's Game-Take Survey of hunters.
"The key to finding wild turkeys is finding an abundance of the forest foods they prefer," Casalena said. "Talk to farmers, hikers and other hunters if you don't have leads for areas to scout. Look for scratches in the leaves, and know that it's pretty hard to miss the signs turkeys make looking for food. Leaves are dropping or have dropped in many areas, so scratching for food will become more pronounced on the forest floor.
"Once you find the general area turkeys are working, try to pattern their movements through daily monitoring. Look for fresh scratches, tracks and feathers. Sort out what the birds are eating. It takes about a week to pattern a flock. Once you have, wait until the opening day and capitalize on your preseason fieldwork."
In both spring and fall turkey seasons, it is unlawful to use drives to hunt turkeys. Hunters may take only one turkey in the fall season.
WMU 5A remains closed to fall turkey hunting again for the fifth year to help restore the turkey population there. Research has shown that fall hunting mortality was a factor limiting that turkey population.
Also, WMU 5B remains closed to aid with restoration work there. During a three-year project, which was completed in 2003, the Game Commission trapped-and-transferred 515 turkeys to 21 sites in York, southern Lancaster, southern Berks and Chester counties. Fall hunting season in WMU 5B will remain closed until this turkey population is restored. The spring season will remain open because agency research has shown it does not impact the population.
Season lengths vary in the state's other 20 WMUs for fall turkey hunting: WMUs 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow only) - Oct. 27-Nov. 12; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow only) - Oct. 27-Nov. 17; WMUs 2C, 2E, 2F, 4A and 4B - Oct. 27-Nov 12; WMUs 2D, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E - Oct. 27-Nov. 17; and WMUs 5C and 5D (Shotgun and bow and arrow only) - Oct. 27-Nov. 2.
Casalena noted that the Board of Game Commissioners, in setting the 2007 fall turkey seasons, took steps to extend the two-week fall season by one day in 12 WMUs to Monday, Nov. 12, which will provide greater opportunity for hunters who are off work or school for the Veteran's Day holiday.
Other season length changes for this year are: WMUs 2A and 2F were shortened from three weeks to 14 days, and WMU 4D increased from two weeks to three weeks.
Turkey hunters, in most parts of the state, must wear a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back, visible in all directions, while moving. They may remove the orange at a stationary calling location, if they place a 100-square inch orange alert band within 15 feet of their location.
In WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 5C and 5D - where fall hunting is limited to shotguns and archery equipment only - hunters must wear a hat containing a minimum of 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange (no camouflage orange) when moving. The hat may be removed when the hunter is at a stationary calling location, and no orange alert band is required. For additional information, please consult page 82 of the 2007-08 Digest.
Shot size is limited to No. 4 lead, bismuth-tin, tungsten-iron or No. 2 steel. Turkey hunters also are required to tag their bird before moving it and to mail the postage-paid harvest report card - provided with all hunting licenses - within 10 days of taking a turkey. A replacement harvest report card is on page 33 of the 2007-08 Digest.
Also, a reminder to turkey hunters that legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. For more information, please see page 14 of the 2007-08 Digest for the legal hunting hours table.
Facts from the Pennsylvania Game Commission: Did you know that it was illegal to use turkey calls in Pennsylvania from 1909 until 1937?
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT WILD TURKEY FORECASTS WMU 1A - Expect the fall harvest to be similar to last year, which showed an average harvest density (0.55 turkeys harvested per square mile, compared to 0.54 statewide) and similar hunter success (15 percent) compared to the state average (13 percent). Summer reproduction in this WMU also was average. Turkey habitat in this area is great, so scout early to locate flocks.
WMU 1B - This WMU had one of the best fall hunter success rates (24 percent) last year, and this year looks to be similar. With average to above-average summer recruitment - depending on your area, as evidenced from our summer turkey sighting surveys, the flocks are out there, so find them prior to the two-week season.
WMU 2A - Even with the shorter two-week season this year, hunter success should be outstanding because recruitment has been better than anytime since 2000, according to our summer turkey surveys. The agency shortened the fall season to two weeks to aid this population to reverse its dramatic decline. This management action, coupled with above-average recruitment, should provide the jumpstart this population needs to rebound to its previous levels. Hunters can help, too, by harvesting a young turkey rather than an experienced adult bird, if the opportunity presents itself.
WMU 2B - Turkeys abound in this WMU, and last fall, hunters had excellent success rates. Plan ahead to find a hunting area, because public hunting areas are limited. With summer turkey sightings similar to last year, expect this fall's harvest to be about the same.
WMU 2C - This is the fourth year of a two-week fall turkey season and the turkey population is rebounding well. In fact, summer turkey sightings were the highest on record throughout the WMU. The acorn crop is average to slightly below average, but grapes abound, so get out early to locate the flocks. Although last year's fall harvest was one of the poorest in the state, expect improvement this fall, especially for juvenile birds.
WMU 2D - Spring and fall harvest densities are some of the best in the state, with the fall harvest density (1.1 turkeys harvested per 1,000 miles) over twice the state average (0.5). Summer turkey sightings increased this year from the past several years, so expect an above average fall harvest, as long as the hunters can locate the flocks.
WMU 2E - There's very good hunting for juvenile birds. Summer sightings were almost three times higher than the long-term average. The spring harvest density also increased this year to above the statewide average for the first time in recent years. Prospects are promising this fall. The two-week fall season since 2004 seems to be aiding the population to rebound.
WMU 2F - As with WMU 2A, the agency shortened the fall season to two weeks to aid this population to reverse its long-term decline. This management action, coupled with slightly above-average recruitment, should provide the jumpstart this population needs to rebound. Hunters can help, too, by harvesting a young turkey rather than an experienced adult bird, as there are ample juvenile birds in this fall's population.
WMU 2G - Summer turkey sightings are almost twice that of last summer, but the above-average mast crop throughout this management unit will tend to disperse the flocks. Hunter success typically is below the state average (11 percent last year compared to 13 percent statewide). However, prospects are quite promising for those who scout prior to the season to locate those boisterous, noisy juvenile turkeys.
WMU 3A - Prospects couldn't be better! With turkey sightings over the past three years more than twice the long-term average, juvenile and adult turkeys abound! Even with the above-average mast crop, the turkey harvest should be well above average.
WMU 3B - Prospects are very good for hunting juvenile birds. Harvests and the turkey population had been declining, but this summer's excellent recruitment looks promising for an above-average harvest. Scout early to locate the flocks and ensure success during the season.
WMU 3C - This WMU had one of the best fall harvest densities and hunter success rates (22 percent) last year, and this year appears to be even better. Summer recruitment, as witnessed from our summer turkey sightings, has increased significantly during the last three years, providing an ample supply of turkeys in most age classes. Prospects couldn't be better for this WMU.
WMU 3D - The turkey population in this WMU has been increasing over the past three years and recruitment this year is now above the long-term trend. Fall hunter success last year was 10 percent (state average was 13 percent). The average mast crop, coupled with above-average recruitment and three-week long season, should translate to a better harvest this year.
WMU 4A - Prospects have greatly improved for this WMU. This is the fourth year of a two-week fall turkey season and the turkey population here is rebounding well. In fact, summer turkey sightings were the highest on record throughout the WMU, providing an ample supply of juvenile birds. Last fall's harvest density (1.1 turkeys harvested per square mile) and hunter success rates (24 percent) were some of the best statewide. The acorn crop is average to slightly below average, but grapes abound. So get out early to locate the flocks.
WMU 4B - This WMU has shown tremendous fluctuations in recruitment and harvest densities, which prompted the agency in 2004 to reduce the fall season to two weeks. Recruitment this year and last have improved since the near-record low in 2005. Fall hunter success last year improved to 13 percent from 9.7 in 2005. With proper scouting, expect this fall's success to improve similarly.
WMU 4C - This WMU typically maintains a stable summer sighting index trend, but increased 76 percent from the long-term average. Hunting prospects for juvenile turkeys will be excellent. Fall hunter success last year was 11 percent (compared to 13 percent statewide) and should improve this year, especially if hunters scout before season.
WMU 4D - If hunters scout and locate flocks, fall hunting prospects should improve over last year as a result of recruitment, which is 67 percent higher than the long-term average, and the extended three-week season. Fall hunter success last year was similar to the state average, 13 percent.
WMU 4E - Very good hunting prospects. Summer recruitment has been increasing steadily for the last four years and fall harvest densities have been above the state average. Because of the increasing population trend, expect the fall harvest to improve above the state average, if hunters scout and locate flocks. Fall hunter success last year was similar to the state average, 13 percent.
WMU 5A - Closed.
WMU 5B - Closed.
WMU 5C - Even though the season is only six days, hunters who did hunt this WMU last fall had an 18 percent success rate compared to 13 percent statewide. I expect an above-average harvest, as indicated from an above-average summer sighting index.
WMU 5D - Although information for this unit is limited, as well as huntable turkey flocks, those hunters who locate hunting areas are quite successful. Similar to most of the state, recruitment here was above average. I expect the fall harvest to be similar to or slightly higher than last year because of the short season and limited access.
LOCAL WILD TURKEY INFORMATION ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE Each year, Pennsylvania Game Commission field officers and foresters develop game forecasts for the areas they work to share with interested hunters and trappers. Observations on local wild turkey populations are always a part of this annual offering. The Pennsylvania Game Commission's "Field Officer Game and Furbearer Forecasts" can be found centered on the homepage of the agency's website - www.pgc.state.pa.us. Developed to share field officer perspectives and observations on game and furbearer trends in their respective districts and to help hunters and trappers get closer to the action afield, this information helped many sportsmen and sportswomen have more enjoyable days afield last year.
"Our field officers spend a tremendous amount of time afield, often in the areas hunters and trappers are most interested in learning more about," said Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. "Their observations have value to hunters and trappers, so in 2006 we set up a cyber-clearinghouse where anyone who enjoys hunting and trapping in Pennsylvania - resident or nonresident - can access game and furbearer forecasts from every county of the state. It's the detailed field reporting hunters and trappers seek out, and part of our longstanding commitment to be the first and best source of hunting and trapping information in the Commonwealth."
DOGS ALLOWED IN FALL TURKEY SEASON
The Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds hunters that a new state law permits wild turkey hunters to use dogs in the upcoming fall season, which begins Oct. 27.
On June 30, Gov. Edward Rendell signed Senate Bill 580, which made it lawful to use a dog "to pursue, chase, scatter and track wild turkeys during the fall wild turkey season." Before the Governor signed this legislation, hunters were prohibited from using dogs to hunt any big game animal, which includes wild turkeys.
This change of law does not appear in the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest because the agency has a deadline of mid-April for material to be included in the annual Digest so that it can be printed and ready for distribution to license issuing agents in mid-June. Consequently, the agency is attempting to reach hunters with information about this new law through news releases and its website, as well as updates provided by Wildlife Conservation Officers to local hunting and sportsmen's organizations.
The change in law was contained in Senate Bill 580, sponsored by state Sen. Roger A. Madigan, which passed the Senate by a vote of 48-1 on May 1. On June 26, the bill was approved by a vote of 187-14 in the House of Representatives before being sent to the Governor's desk.
TURKEY HUNTERS URGED TO BE ATTENTIVE, SAFE Every fall, hunters head into Pennsylvania's forests and woodlots in pursuit of wild turkeys. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, it's one of autumn's greatest competitions as hunters try to call in their quarries. It's also a time when hunters really need to be in tune with their surroundings.
"Staying alert and making sound shooting decisions will go a long way toward ensuring your safety and the safety of others in turkey season this fall," said Keith Snyder, Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Education Division chief. "So, too, will always handling your sporting arm in a safe in responsible way.
"The Pennsylvania Game Commission has worked with the National Wild Turkey Federation and its cadre of volunteer hunter-trapper education instructors over the past decade to reverse what was a growing number of turkey hunting-related shooting incidents. Today, Pennsylvania's woods are safer for turkey hunters, based on statistics. But hunters must remain vigilant. Paying attention and hunting safely ensures that your trip afield remains an enjoyable one."
Hunters are urged to follow the SMART rules for firearms safety that are reinforced in the agency's Hunter-Trapper Education Program. Being SMART with firearms will ensure you hunt safely and responsibly.
The acronym SMART reinforces the following rules:
- Safe Direction: Keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction;
- Make Sure: Positively identify your target;
- Always Check: Know what's beyond your target before shooting;
- Respect Firearms: Treat all firearms as if they were loaded; and
- Trigger Caution: Don't touch the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
Turkey hunters should always hunt defensively, assuming every movement or sound they hear is another hunter until they can be absolutely certain that it isn't. If you see another hunter approaching your calling location, don't move or wave to get their attention, yell, "Stop!" to verbally identify your presence.
Protect your back by sitting at the base of a large tree or rock. Make sure you positively identify your target as a turkey before you disengage the safety of your sporting arm.
Don't shoot at movement or sounds you think might be a turkey. Let the turkeys come to you and watch their approach carefully.
In addition, consider wearing fluorescent orange clothing while afield at all times. Even though there were only two hunting-related shooting incidents during last fall's turkey season, one victim was shot in the line of fire, and the other was mistaken for game. Following the SMART rules will help prevent such incidents.

In 2F, we lose a week this year.