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Why Should Turkey Hunters Support a Spring Turkey Hunting License?
March, 2007
- Turkey populations are at their highest levels since we’ve been
keeping record (estimated over 300,000).
- When it comes to turkey hunting, we are in the “good ole days” – but
those times won’t always be here.
- With over 240,000 an estimated turkey hunters and very little work dedicated
to the wild turkey resource and turkey hunters, these “good ole days” could
quickly become a thing of the past.
- We need to act NOW to keep turkey numbers high for the future.
- A steady source of funding will allow the Game Commission to manage wild
turkeys and turkey hunting more efficiently and effectively.
- The Management Plan for Wild Turkeys in Pennsylvania , which specifies
how the Game Commission is to manage wild turkeys through the Year 2005,
cannot be fully implemented because of a lack of funding.
How will a $5.00 spring license help?
- Improved and more detailed information on wild turkey harvest will become
available.
- Better research data to provide the information Biologists need to make
management decisions.
- Turkey hunter safety material will be provided directly to turkey hunters.
- Leg banding and radio telemetry studies will show the rate at which we
are harvesting turkeys in each management area so hunting seasons can be
adjusted more effectively.
- More habitat improvement projects helping to increase turkey populations.
- Better law enforcement aimed specifically at wild turkey violations.
- Turkey hunter opinions and satisfaction levels will be acquired more efficiently.
- Some funds might be used for purchasing more game lands.
- Management Plan for Wild Turkeys will continue be successful.
How will the average turkey hunter benefit?
- This license will help ensure the future of the sport you enjoy.
- Funds will provide turkey hunters with specific turkey hunting and turkey
biology information and hunter safety materials.
- Turkey hunter surveys will give you the ability to express your concerns
and opinions about turkey management in the Commonwealth.
- More places to hunt.
- Improved habitat may provide additional hunting prospects.
- Turkey hunter safety will be improved.
- Better research data and hunting information about our turkey populations
could result in expanded hunting opportunities in the future.
Our wild turkey resource is a valuable asset to Pennsylvania . We have managed
the resource for nearly a century using the available information. In the 21
st century, it is time to manage wild turkeys with the best available information.
A turkey hunting license would help provide that information and ensure a bright
future for these great birds in Pennsylvania .
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