1) GAME COMMISSION SAYS SPRING GOBBLER SEASON HOLDS PROMISE
2) SPRING GOBBLER MENTORED YOUTH HUNTS
3) TURKEY HUNTING SAFETY TIPS
4) WILD TURKEY FIELD REPORTS
GAME COMMISSION SAYS SPRING GOBBLER SEASON HOLDS PROMISE HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission officials believe the upcoming gobbler seasons will provide excellent hunting opportunities for the nearly quarter million hunters who are preparing to participate.
The state's one-day youth spring gobbler season is April 19; the general spring gobbler season is April 26 to May 26, and includes the Monday of the Memorial Day holiday to afford those hunters who have off work or school an additional opportunity to participate in this season. In both seasons, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon.
"Spring gobbler hunting looks promising throughout the state and should be better than 2007, which was an above-average season," said Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist. "The statewide harvest was the seventh best on record.
"Last year, hens entered the breeding season in good physical condition - the result of a mild winter with abundant food - allowing above-average nesting. Those young turkeys were further supported by warm, dry spring weather and an abundance of summer food, which translated into above-average reproduction and recruitment, reversing the recent declining population trends in some local populations.
"Wildlife Conservation Officers' wild turkey summer sighting survey-work documented that recruitment last year was higher than the long-term average, just not as good as in 2000-2002, when Pennsylvania's had its largest wild turkey populations," said Casalena. "This translates into more jakes in the statewide population than last spring. There also will be more two-year-olds than last year, but not as many as in 2002-2004. We also anticipate there will be fewer of the older, experienced, three- and four -year-olds than the past few years."
Casalena noted that, with a mild winter and abundant winter food sources in many areas of the state, turkeys are coming into the spring breeding season in good condition, which means a majority of the hens should be available to breed.
"The larger turkey population should spur hen and jake populations, so hunters will likely be competing with the real hens and will have to stay alert for those sneaking jakes that often appear out of nowhere," she said. "Last year, in many parts of the state, it seemed gobblers had hens with them all season long, which made it even more challenging to call gobblers to hunters. This year's early spring may cause gobbling to begin sooner than usual, but egg laying for the nesting season is related more to the amount of daylight than air temperature, and the hunting season is timed to open after the majority of hens have started incubating to reduce nest disturbances during egg-laying, when hens are more prone to run than sit tight. If hens remain on nest, there is less chance they'll be shot mistakenly."
The preliminary spring harvest for 2007 was about 39,500, and an additional 1,507 turkeys were taken with special spring turkey licenses that provided for the taking of a second gobbler. It compares with a 2006 preliminary harvest of about 38,500, and an additional 1,454 turkeys taken with special spring turkey licenses that provided for the taking of a second gobbler. The preliminary harvest in 2005 was 40,000; in 2004, it was 41,000; in 2003, it was 43,900; and in 2002, it was 44,500. The preliminary spring turkey harvest has exceeded 30,000 since 1994.
In 2007, about 7,500 special licenses were issued to allow hunters the opportunity to take a second spring gobbler, and 1,507 second gobblers were killed, amounting to four percent of the gobbler harvest. In 2006, the first year it was legal to take a second gobbler in Pennsylvania, more than 8,000 special licenses were issued, and hunters harvested 1,454 second gobblers, again about four percent of the total gobbler harvest.
The fall harvest, however, reflects a different harvest picture. The preliminary 2007 fall turkey harvest was 21,900. That compares with 21,500 in 2006; 25,200 in 2005; 25,900, 2004; and 27,400, 2003.
Final fall 2007 harvest figures will be available in July after completion of the annual Game-Take Survey. Fall turkey harvests fluctuate annually according to fall season length, summer reproduction, hunter participation, fall mast crop and weather. For the fall 2007 season, the Board of Commissioners approved lengthening the season in WMU 4D, but shortened the season in two WMUs (2A and 2F). Additionally, the Board shortened the season in three WMUs in 2005 (1A, 5C and 5D) and five WMUs in 2004 (2C, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D). Numbers of fall turkey hunters and days fall turkey hunting have been decreasing since the mid-1990s. Fall turkey harvest in neighboring New York also was higher in 2007 than 2006, due to good summer reproduction.
Prior to the spring gobbler season, hunters are discouraged from using turkey calls to locate gobblers, because it can educate birds and cause them to be less inclined to respond to the early-morning calls of hunters in season.
"If you're trying to locate a gobbler, it's best to head out at first light to listen for calls," Casalena advised. "Now is a great time! On a still morning, a gobbler's call often can be detected up to a half-mile away or more by a person."
Pennsylvania again offered hunters - until an April 1 deadline - a chance to take a second gobbler with a "special wild turkey license." It entitles the holder to take a second spring gobbler in any Wildlife Management Unit. The cost was $21 for residents, $41 for nonresidents. The agency issued 7,585 second spring gobbler tags in 2007, and 8,045 in 2006. This year's total, as of today (April 4), was more than 8,700.
Research has shown that properly timed and implemented multiple-bird spring bag limits have not caused population declines in other states. To monitor hunter success, all hunters who receive the special spring gobbler license are required to submit a report, regardless of whether they harvest a second spring gobbler.
Each year, more than 240,000 hunters head afield to participate in the spring gobbler season. The season is considered a challenging affair because it requires a hunter to place himself or herself in a position within calling distance of a gobbler - preferably still roosting - and then call the bird within shooting range using a mouth, box or slate call. Since wild turkeys have keen eyesight and hearing, the slightest slipup by the hunter will send an approaching bird scurrying in the opposite direction.
"Taking a spring gobbler is quite an accomplishment, regardless of how many times a hunters succeeds," Casalena noted. "However, if you twitch or your stomach grumbles at the wrong time, your prize will be slipping out the backdoor, and it won't be half-stepping! Regardless of if you succeed, the hunt is incredibly satisfying and you can rest assured you'll never forget a millisecond of your time afield."
Hunters are reminded that it is illegal to stalk turkeys or turkey sounds in the spring gobbler season. Given the wild turkey's keen senses, it's not a wise move anyway, but more importantly, it makes a tremendous difference for the personal safety of everyone afield. Over the years, too many hunters have been shot for game while approaching a hunter calling for turkeys, and callers have been shot in mistake for game by stalking hunters.
In 2007, five hunters were shot - none fatally - during the spring gobbler season, including one self-inflicted injury and four that involved two hunters. In all but the self-inflicted incident, the offender failed to properly identify his target and shot the victim in mistake for game.
"Safety must be the foremost consideration of every turkey hunter," emphasized Keith Snyder, Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Education chief. "If every hunter followed the state's hunting regulations and positively identified his or her target as legal game before squeezing the trigger, hunters wouldn't be shooting other hunters. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way.
"The Game Commission encourages all spring gobbler hunters to hunt safely and defensively. Consider wearing fluorescent orange clothing at all times - even though it is no longer required by law - and treat every sound and movement in the forest as if it is another hunter until you can positively confirm it is a legal turkey. Wait until the bird is fully and plainly visible before you pull the trigger."
Legal sporting arms are: shotguns plugged to three-shell capacity in the chamber and magazine combined; muzzleloading shotguns; and crossbows and bows with broadhead bolts or arrows of cutting-edge design.
Shot size can be no larger than No. 4 lead, bismuth-tin and tungsten-iron, or No. 2 steel. Rifle-shotgun combinations also may be used, but no single-projectile ammunition may be used or carried.
Carrying or using rifles, handguns, dogs, electronic callers, drives and live decoys is unlawful. The use of blinds is legal so long as it is an "artificial or manufactured turkey blind consisting of all manmade materials of sufficient density to block the detection of movement within the blind from an observer located outside the blind."
While not required by law, hunters are encouraged to wear a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head (a hat) when moving through the woods. Agency officials also recommend that hunters wrap an orange alert band around a nearby tree when stationary, especially when calling and/or using decoys.
Coyotes may be harvested by turkey hunters. However, turkey hunters who have filled their spring turkey tag or tags may not hunt coyotes prior to noon Monday through Saturday during the spring gobbler season. Woodchuck hunting is not allowed during spring gobbler season shooting hours.
Successful spring gobbler hunters must properly tag their turkey and report the harvest to the Game Commission within 10 days, using the postage-paid report card provided with their hunting license. Hunters are reminded that if they can't find one of the harvest report cards that came with their license, they can tear out and use the harvest report card found on page 33 of the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations.
Junior hunters who participate in the youth spring gobbler season are required to have a junior hunting license. Juniors license holders under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, who cannot carry a sporting arm. Accompanying adults may only provide guidance, such as calling or scouting. All other hunting regulations are the same as those for the general spring gobbler season, including the hunting hours of one-half hour before sunrise until noon and only bearded turkeys may be taken.
And, for the second year, youths under the age of 12 years may take advantage of the Game Commission's Mentored Youth Hunting Program, and hunt with a mentor during either the one-day youth-only season or the general spring gobbler season. Mentored youths do not need a hunting license or permit, but must be accompanied by a mentor who is a properly licensed adult at least 21 years of age. (For more information on this opportunity, please see the next article, titled "SPRING GOBBLER MENTORED YOUTH HUNTS," in this news release.)
SPRING GOBBLER MENTORED YOUTH HUNTS
The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Mentored Youth Hunting Program permits mentors to take youth under 12 years of age out to participate in either the "Spring Gobbler Youth Hunt" on April 19, or the general spring gobbler season, April 26-May 26.
While no hunting license is required for the mentored youth, the mentor must be a properly licensed adult age 21 years of age or older. Any gobbler harvested by the youth must be tagged by making and attaching a tag that contains the youngster's name, address, date, Wildlife Management Unit (WMU), township, and county where it was taken. Also, the youth must submit a harvest report card, which is available on page 33 of the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, within five days for any gobbler he or she takes.
The mentor-to-mentored-youth ratio is one-to-one; the mentor may not have more than one youth with him or her at any time while hunting. Also, the pair may possess only one sporting arm while hunting. While moving, the sporting arm must be carried by the mentor. When the pair reaches a stationary hunting location, the mentor may turn over possession of the sporting arm to the youth, and then must keep the youth within arm's length at all times while he or she is in possession of the sporting arm.
The youth does not need to take and pass the Game Commission's mandatory Hunter-Trapper Education, which is required for all first-time license buyers. However, it is the responsibility of the mentor to ensure that each youth understand firearms safety and hunting laws and regulations before heading afield.
For additional information about the Game Commission's Mentored Youth Hunting Program, visit the agency's website at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on "Mentored Youth FAQs" in the right column, or see page 15 of the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations.
TURKEY HUNTING SAFETY TIPS
While spring gobbler hunters are no longer required to wear fluorescent orange, the Pennsylvania Game Commission still encourages them to display a fluorescent orange alert band near their stationary hunting position, especially those who plan to call or use decoys. It may alert a hunter who is closing in on your call or decoys that a person is in the area.
Hunters also are encouraged to place decoys in a way that will limit their susceptibility to in-the-line-of-fire shotgun discharges from approaching hunters.
Only bearded turkeys may be taken in the spring season. The beard is a grouping of hair-like feathers that protrude from the bird's chest. Hunters are reminded to remove any red, white, blue or black clothing before heading afield because these colors are found on a turkey's head or body. Remember, too, it's illegal to stalk turkeys or turkey sounds.
To make sure your next turkey hunting experience is both safe and enjoyable, follow these turkey hunting safety tips:
Positively identify your target. Be absolutely certain it's a legal turkey before pulling the trigger. Confirm, then confirm again. Never shoot at sounds or movement.
Never stalk a turkey or turkey sounds. Stalking during the spring season is illegal. Movement or sounds you think are a turkey may be another hunter. Be patient. Let the bird come to you. Assume every noise and movement is another hunter. If there is any doubt whatsoever - don't shoot.
Pre-select a zone of fire. Shoot at a turkey only in your predetermined zone of fire - and only when you're certain it's safe.
Make your position known to other hunters - wear fluorescent orange. While it is no longer mandatory to wear orange when moving through the woods, particularly while carrying a bird, the Game Commission highly recommends it. We also recommend that you display orange at your calling location by wrapping a fluorescent orange band around a tree to alert other hunters of your presence.
Protect your back. Select a large tree, rock or other substantial natural barrier while calling and sit with your back against it. To improve your visibility, hunt in open woods.
Shout "STOP" to alert approaching hunters. Never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert hunters of your position.
Eliminate red, white, blue and black colors from your clothing. These colors are found on the head, neck and body of mature gobblers. You could be mistaken for a turkey if you wear these colors!
WILD TURKEY FIELD REPORTS
Mary Jo Casalena, Pennsylvania Game Commission wild turkey biologist, has prepared a statewide field report, as well as a report for each Wildlife Management Units (WMU), to share agency field observations on wild turkey hunting prospects and population trends. If you need assistance locating WMUs, please consult pages 42-45 in the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.
Statewide - 2007 spring harvest density (harvest per square mile) and summer sighting index (turkeys seen per 1,000 miles driven) were above the previous three-year average. Summer sighting index also was above the previous nine-year average and spring harvest density was equal to the previous nine-year average. This strong population along with an above average fall 2007 mast crop and relatively mild winter translates into a healthy and above average statewide population for the 2008 spring season. The jake population is above average in many locales so, even though the population level is above average, gobbling activity may not be, given the generally quiet nature of jakes.
WMU 1A - Excellent compared to the state average, but well below average compared to itself - 2007 showed the worst production since before 1995. With the shortened fall season to two weeks since 2005 and average reproduction in 2005 and 2006, expect spring 2008 harvest to be similar to last year, but still not at the levels of the early 2000s. There will be an average number of two-year-old gobblers, which are relatively easy to call in, but still may be a good proportion of four-year-olds in the population, which are difficult to call in.
WMA 1B - Excellent compared to state. Average for the WMU - Average proportion of two-year-old males in the population for easy calling, below average for jakes (which shouldn't affect this year's harvest much, but may decrease harvest next spring).
WMU 2A - Still well above the statewide average, but well below average for itself. Fall turkey season was shortened from three weeks to two weeks in 2007, which will allow more turkeys to survive to the 2008 season. Summer 2007 reproduction was above the previous three-year average so jakes abound in the population, while few two- and three-year-old gobblers are present. Search out the young, but quiet jakes as well as the older experienced four-plus-year-old gobblers.
WMU 2B - Variable. This WMU is difficult to predict because of the lack of public land. For hunters who secure access to hunting areas, prospects are good for calling in a two-year-old or a jake. Very few three-year-olds, but still should be a good supply of four-year-olds in the population, which are the most difficult to call in due to their years of experience.
WMU 2C - This spring should be the best it's been in this WMU since 2001 because of a combination of a shorter fall season length from three weeks to two weeks since 2004, excellent reproduction in 2006 and 2007 so there are more two-year-olds and jakes in the population than the previous four years. Spring harvest densities (harvests per square mile) are nearing the statewide average.
WMU 2D - Excellent compared to the state, but well below average for this WMU. Summer reproduction last year was again below average, but slightly better than the last two years. Expect the harvest to be similar to last year.
WMU 2E - Excellent for this WMU for harvesting two-year-olds and jakes, poor for older gobblers. Expect the harvest to be even higher than last year's. Harvest is approaching the statewide average since shortening the fall season in 2004.
WMU 2F - For this WMU, better than the last several years, due partially to the shortened fall season in 2007 from three weeks to two weeks, which allowed more turkeys to survive to the 2008 season. Expect an average proportion of two-year-old males in the population for easy calling. Harvest density and summer turkey sighting indices continue to be below the long-term average for this WMU and compared to the state. However, hunters continue to enjoy hunting this expansive WMU.
WMU 2G - Expect a slightly higher harvest than 2007. Summer reproduction last year was the best it's been in this WMU in four years and the two-year-old population is slightly above average for this WMU, so look to harvest a jake or two-year-old. Prospects look poor for harvesting older gobblers. The population is beginning to show an increasing trend, similar to the long-term average for this WMU, but below the state average.
WMU 3A - Prospects look very promising compared to itself and the state.   Excellent for jakes, two- and three-year-olds, but below average for older gobblers compared to itself. Summer turkey sightings last year hit a record high, better than the heyday years of 2001 and 2002!
WMU 3B - Excellent. This WMU typically maintains relatively steady harvest density and summer turkey sightings, but in 2007 they were both record levels for this WMU, so expect the spring harvest to be above average for this WMU and compared to the state.
WMU 3C - Excellent. Summer reproduction has been at record levels for the past three years setting the stage for a record population of jakes, two-year old and three-year old gobblers for 2008. Expect harvests to be well above the state average and well above average for this WMU.
WMU 3D - Above the state average, but average compared to itself. This WMU typically maintains harvest densities above the state average, but there are fewer jakes this year than average.
WMU 4A - Although harvest densities here remain below the state average, compared to itself, harvests are expected to be off the charts for jakes, excellent for three-year and four-year-old gobblers and average for two-year-olds. Harvests had been increasing due to the record recruitment in 2004 and 2005 and average in 2006. Recruitment last year hit another all-time record. The two-week fall season that has been in place since 2004 may be helping this population to rebound.
WMU 4B - Harvest densities are above the state average, and expect the 2008 harvest density to be similar to last year and above average compared to itself and the state. There are an average proportion of jakes, two- and four-year-old gobblers, but very low numbers of three-year-olds in the population. With the continued two-week fall season, spring harvest densities have been increasing even though this WMU has had tremendous fluctuations in recruitment recently.
WMU 4C - Best 2007 spring harvest density in the state and a similar harvest is expected this year. This WMU continues to maintain one of the highest spring harvest densities in the state, even though the summer turkey sighting index trend remains below the state average. Indications from the stable summer sighting index trend and slightly rising spring harvest density trend suggest that hunting prospects again will be excellent.
WMU 4D - Average compared to itself and below the state average. Although the summer turkey sighting index and spring harvest density remain below the state average, the 2006 and 2007 harvest densities were nearly record highs for this WMU, similar the previous record set in 2001. However, with the increase in fall season length in 2007 from two to three weeks, fewer turkeys will be available for the spring season. Recruitment during the past four years has been average for this WMU and the harvest is expected to be average to slightly below average.
WMU 4E - Like WMU 4C, another turkey hotspot. This WMU has been maintaining one of the highest spring harvest densities in the state. Also, summer turkey sightings show there are a record numbers of jakes and two- and three-year-old gobblers in the population. Expect this year's harvest to be even better than last year's.
WMU 5A - Although harvests and summer turkey sightings continue to be some of the lowest in the state, the closed fall turkey season and above average summer reproduction have been factors aiding in population increase. Jakes are plentiful for 2008. Expect an above-average harvest for this WMU, similar to last year, due to the abundance of jakes from an excellent breeding season in 2007, and an abundance of three-year-old, more experienced birds. There may be less gobbling however, due to the lower proportion of two-year-old gobblers than last year.
WMU 5B - The data set for this WMU is minimal, but overall, expect an average harvest compared to itself.   Harvests and summer turkey sightings are one of the lowest in the state.
WMU 5C - Harvest densities have been decreasing, but expect an average harvest as indicated from an average proportion of two- and three-year-old gobblers in the population. Harvest density remains below the state average.
WMU 5D - Data set is too small to forecast.