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 .