October 2, 2006 Board of Commissioner Meeting Comments

1593 Brocious Road
Brookville,
PA 15825
October 2, 2006

Pennsylvania Game Commission
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9797

Dear Commissioners, Executive Director Roe:

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments and input into regulations affecting the wildlife resources of this commonwealth. Our members would like to express their appreciation for the hard work and dedication shown by the employees of the Game Commission in managing and protecting our rich wildlife heritage. The Members and Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation support sound, science based wildlife management.

The tri-state gobbler banding study initiated last winter is a great step forward in collecting the data that will keep wild turkey management in Pennsylvania on the leading edge. Our chapter is pleased to be playing a role in financially supporting this significant statewide research project. While this banding work is a very positive development, it will not be time to rest on our laurels when the work is done four years from now. Collecting similar data on harvest rates, hunter reporting, wild turkey dispersal and survival in the fall is essential to completing the picture. We urge the commissioners to support additional research initiatives concerning fall hunting and its impact on turkey populations in the future. Such field work will provide the tools for commission biologists to make decisions on developing additional recreational opportunity for turkey hunters and fine-tuning wild turkey management. Our members support legislation on hunting license increases that include a turkey hunting license to help provide funding for vital wild turkey research.

Attracting and retaining young turkey hunters is the key to the continued success of our hunting traditions. Providing special youth hunting days and the recently approved Mentored Youth Hunting Program are important ways to recruit new young hunters and keep them interested in our hunting heritage. Currently youth hunters have a one day special spring gobbler hunting opportunity. Providing one morning of hunting is a step in the right direction, but it does limit the potential for participation because of weather factors and conflicts with other activities in which youth are involved. Increasing the hunting hours past noon on the currently scheduled Saturday hunt would allow for more participation by young hunters whose opportunity may now be limited. We request that the commissioners consider the option of allowing all day spring hunting for youth at least on the day of the special early youth season.

Our recent membership survey indicated great support for extending the spring gobbler hunting season through May 31 each year. This change would provide between one and six additional days of hunting opportunity, depending on the calendar. Current wild turkey research and a recent white paper submitted to the commissioners by the Bureau of Wildlife Management support extending the spring season at the end of the season rather than providing more days earlier in the spring. Our members ask that the commissioners consider such a change to the season structure.

The requirement of orange clothing for turkey hunting has long been a contentious issue among turkey hunters. Turkey hunters are aware that regulations requiring the use of orange were designed with safety in mind, but they are also aware that orange has been shown to diminish their success rate and overall enjoyment of the turkey hunting tradition. Data on Spring Turkey Hunting Related Shooting Incidents (HRSIs) indicates that the requirement of an orange hat while moving in this season has not had the desired affect of reducing incidents. The recent membership survey showed wide support among our members for eliminating the orange requirement for spring gobbler hunters. The Board of Directors and members of the Pennsylvania Chapter request that the commissioners consider removing this requirement from the regulations.

Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on regulations affecting our cherished tradition of turkey hunting.

Sincerely,

David Burdge
President, Pennsylvania Chapter NWTF