FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

For further information, contact: Carl Mowry, 724-285-5124, Don Heckman, 717-761-5925

 

Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation

 

Turkey hunter education proposed instead of more orange regulation

 

August 18, 2003

 

The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has thoroughly studied the proposal to require fall turkey hunters, archers, coyote hunters and muzzleloader deer hunters statewide to wear 250 square inches of hunter orange at all times and require spring hunters to wear solid orange hats while moving introduced at the June Pennsylvania Game Commission meeting. A review of information on hunting related shooting incidents from some notable turkey hunting states in which orange is not required shows that they have incident rates similar to those in Pennsylvania. All of these states have sizeable turkey populations, many turkey hunters and annual harvests that, in some cases exceed the number of birds taken in Pennsylvania.

 

In 2002, Texas reported a hunting related shooting incident rate for spring turkey hunting of about 5.4 incidents per 100,000 hunters and Pennsylvania reported an incident rate of 3.9. In the same year, Virginia reported an incident rate of 4.9 per 100,000 participants, Michigan 2.0 incidents and Wisconsin reported 3.8 incidents per 100,000 participants. Texas reportedly had nearly 74,000 turkey hunters, Pennsylvania about 230,000, Virginia 60,800, Michigan 98,306 and Wisconsin 159,500 in 2002. In 2003, Missouri (125,000 hunters) reported a spring incident rate of 3.2 incidents per 100,000 hunters, Pennsylvania (230,000 hunters) reported 4.3 incidents, Wisconsin (168,700 hunters) reported 0 incidents per 100,000 hunters, Michigan (98,306 hunters) reported a rate of 2.0, Virginia (60,800 hunters) reported a rate of 3.3 incidents, Georgia (42,181 hunters) reported a rate of 2.4 and Texas (74,000 hunters) reported a rate of 2.0 incidents per 100,000 participants. The national average for spring turkey hunting related shooting incidents is 2.95 incidents per 100,000 turkey hunters.

 

Reviewing these data leads us to determine that incident rates are variable and that many factors may affect those rates. Indeed, a review of incident numbers in Pennsylvania shows that the number varies substantially year to year. This information further suggests that the mandatory use of orange by spring turkey hunters in Pennsylvania has not resulted in incident rates that are consistently lower than those in states where no orange is required. While we have not acquired fall incident rate data from all of the above-mentioned states, the fall 2002 incident rate for Texas was 2.7 incidents per 100,000 hunters, for Wisconsin 2.7 incidents per 100,000 hunters and for Pennsylvania 6.25 incidents per 100,000 hunters. Based on this information, we would submit that the requirement of orange for fall turkey hunters in Pennsylvania has not resulted in a wider margin of safety compared to that of other states where orange is not required of fall turkey hunters. We conclude, therefore, that an approach other than requiring more orange for turkey hunters is needed.

 

The members of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation firmly believe that the reduction of turkey hunting related shooting incidents is dependent on reaching hunters with important and common sense safety messages. This approach will be more effective and more palatable to turkey hunters than placing additional regulatory burdens on turkey hunters by requiring increased use of orange. Turkey hunters are well aware that wild turkeys can perceive color and that wearing or displaying orange while moving or hunting will significantly reduce their chances for success. At the same time, they are mindful that safety is an important issue. Regulations requiring turkey hunters to wear or display orange in effect since the early 1990’s have failed to effectively improve the safety of our sport.

 

Therefore, we suggest the following alternatives to fluorescent orange requirements for turkey hunters:

 

 

Our members realize that new programs take time to develop and that such programs will have costs associated with them. It is our opinion that the suggested options will be more effective than addressing this problem with more unpopular regulation. Our membership is willing to work with the Game Commission in the exploration of funding options. Our membership wishes to partner with the Game Commission in addressing the safety issue in a more effective manner.       

 

For further information about the Pennsylvania Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, and our position statement and informational material on the proposed orange regulation, visit our web site at:  www.panwtf.com



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Last modified: November 20, 2003