Autumn is full of hunting opportunities, and starting Oct. 27, Pennsylvania hunters will have the chance to hunt wild turkeys during the state's fall season. But they have another reason to be happy -- during the last four years, Keystone State hunters have vastly improved their safety record with far fewer turkey hunting-related shooting incidents than recent history.

From 1999 until 2002, Pennsylvania's fall turkey hunting season averaged 13.5 hunting- related shooting incidents per year. But, as a result of intensive hunter education programs and information from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation, incident rates have experienced a sharp decline. In fact, from 2003 until 2006 the average has been only 3.5 incidents per year.

"One incident is too many," said Bob Eriksen, NWTF regional biologist for Pennsylvania. "But we've experienced an incredible decline in incidents because the PGC and the NWTF's volunteers have put a lot of time and effort into educating hunters about how to be safe. We should all keep safety on our minds this fall, and every time we step into the woods."

To date, the NWTF has distributed more than a million pieces of hunter safety literature developed during Turkey Hunting Safety Task Force meetings to hunters, hunter education instructors and wildlife agencies across North America.

"Hunting is one of the safest sports out there," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "When hunters follow hunting safety rules, the most dangerous part of hunting is driving there and back home."

Statistics show that of the few turkey hunting incidents that do occur, almost 70 percent are caused by failure to identify the target. If hunters would be 100 percent sure of their targets before pulling the trigger, turkey hunting incidents would be almost eliminated.

The NWTF has produced a set of turkey hunting tips, and a turkey hunting curriculum designed to make hunters safer and more successful. The NWTF's Turkey Hunting Success & Safety Curriculum is available from the NWTF's Turkey Shoppe Web site. This curriculum is a two-disk CD-ROM/DVD set containing videos, PowerPoints, articles, lessons and downloads to help teach safe, ethical turkey hunting.

"Using the latest technology, this curriculum is a fun way to teach people how to become better and safer hunters," Keck said.

From Us To You The NWTF's Turkey Hunting Tips and Hunt Safely stickers are available free of charge to hunters and hunter safety instructors. Both are good tools in hunter education classes, and the neon green stickers prompt hunters to hunt safely as they take aim at their targets. To order the Hunt Safely stickers or Turkey Hunting Tips call (800) THE-NWTF.

Here are some hunting safety tips from the NWTF:

• Play Defense Responsible hunters are not only positive of the target before firing, but hunt defensively to protect themselves from the mistakes of others.
• Always follow the National Wild Turkey Federation's Defensive Turkey Hunting Tactics when pursuing America's largest game bird.
• Set up against a stump, tree or rock that is wider than your shoulders and higher than your head.
• Never wear or carry the colors red, white, blue or black when turkey hunting. This includes handkerchiefs, socks and underwear. These are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler.
• Set up in open timber rather than thick brush. Eliminating movement is the key to success, not concealment.
• Be discreet when imitating the sound of a gobbling turkey.
• Be alert. A good woodsman can always detect movement in the forest by watching other game or listening for the alarm cries of Blue Jays, crows, squirrels or woodpeckers. Be a defensive hunter.
• Never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert another hunter to your presence. Remain still and call out in a loud, clear voice to announce your presence and be sure the other hunter acknowledges your presence before moving.

NWTF's Rules to Dress for Success

• Never wear bright colors, especially not red, white, blue or black because these are the colors of a wild turkey gobbler.
• Wear dark undershirts and socks, and pants long enough to be tucked into boots.
• Camouflage your gun.
• Keep your hands and head camouflaged when calling
• Select a spot that is in the open timber rather than thick brush: wearing camouflage clothing and eliminating movement is more critical to success than hiding in heavy cover.
• When using a camouflage blind or netting, maintain a clear field of view.

Proper Use Of Decoys

Unless the use of decoys is prohibited by law, the following guidelines apply:

• A decoy should never be visible while being transported.
• Never carry an uncovered (identifiable) decoy any distance.
• Always set-up against a tree that is wider than your shoulders and taller than your head.
• Establish a clear line of vision for at least 100 yards and then set your decoy(s) approximately 20 yards from your position at a right angle to the line.
• Should you see another hunter (especially if he/she is close to your "line of sight") call out to them in a loud, clear voice. Their presence has already compromised your location and a "soft" call may only confuse them, rather than alerting them to your presence.
• If you are calling over decoys and then elect to move to a new location, check carefully to ensure that no one is stalking your decoys.
• Check before leaving your "stand" tree. Should you see someone in the area, rule 4 applies.

From Us To You The NWTF's Turkey Hunting Tips and Hunt Safely stickers are available free of charge to hunters and hunter safety instructors. Both are good tools in hunter education classes, and the neon green stickers prompt hunters to hunt safely as they take aim at their targets.

To order the Hunt Safely stickers or Turkey Hunting Tips call (800) THE-NWTF.