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Pa. Chapter of NWTF:

Not seeing orange isn't enough

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Turkey hunting veterans like Greg "Doc" Caldwell of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation says hunters shouldn't assume they have green light to shoot if they don't see orange.

 

Not seeing the fluorescent orange is just the first step in a safe hunting experience during the upcoming fall turkey season (October 29-November 19).

 

"Abiding by the law is not enough,'' Caldwell said. "Do not be lulled into thinking that if you do not see orange it is safe to shoot."

By following a few safety tips, a hunter’s day afield can be filled with excitement.

 

Turkey hunters must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined, visible 360 degrees at all times when moving. May be removed at stationary calling location, providing a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent orange material is posted within 15 feet of the location and visible in 360 degrees.

 

Exception: In wildlife management units limited to hunting with shotguns and bows and arrows (WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 5C & 5D) hunters when moving must wear a hat containing a minimum of 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange material, visible 360 degrees at all times.  Orange may be removed at stationary calling location.  While fluorescent orange is not required in these zones at stationary calling location, it is strongly recommended.   

 

"Some may ignore the requirements, so do not assume you will always see mandatory orange on or around a turkey hunter or his position,'' Caldwell said. "Also, non-hunters may be in the woods. These folks are not required to wear orange, and in fact, may be clad in clothing colored the same as that of a turkey, namely red, white, blue, or black." Caldwell said the first step to safe hunting trip is to properly identify your target.

 

"This means knowing beyond any doubt that you are visualizing a turkey. How fun and exciting it is to patiently wait for a bird to totally come into view,'' Caldwell said. "Whether you have patterned a turkey well enough to watch him walk into range on his own or you lured him in as the result of calling, it is extremely rewarding to watch him approaching. Making the sounds of the turkey and properly positioning yourself for a successful harvest are some of the joys of turkey hunting."

 

Caldwell suggests setting up against a large tree or rock completely hiding yourself from the backside, not only is safe, but it allows you to have open woods or fields in front of you. "This enhances your abilities to enjoy watching incoming birds. Because there are no obstructions for gun movements, you have a wider range of shooting opportunities," Caldwell said. "You will also more easily visualize other hunters if you are setting up in the open using your camouflage clothing as cover rather hiding in thick brush. Should you see that it is a person coming toward you instead of a turkey, shout 'stop' to alert the other hunter of your position."

 

Caldwell said it's important to know the difference between stalking and repositioning. Many hunters learn about safe turkey hunting methods by watch hunting videos and by attending turkey-hunting seminars. "While this individual should not have been stalking or sneaking up on your artificially made turkey talk make certain you never do the same. Even though turkey hunting may involve changing positions or moving a slight bit to provide more realism to your turkey calling it does not mean sneaking up on other turkey sounds,'' Caldwell said.

 

The PANWTF says patience is essential for turkey hunters. "In the excitement of the moment, many senses may become clouded,'' Caldwell said. "Therefore, practice an important "P" of successful turkey hunting, "patience". Patiently wait for the entire bird to come into view. Take deep breaths. Watch and enjoy this magnificent creature of nature. Learn to relax. Listen to its sounds, and observe its every movement. Let the turkey be your teacher so you become a better hunter on your next outing. Learn to enjoy the hunt and not the kill. This alone will help you hunt more responsibly and safely, and you just may have more success and fun in the process."

 

The National Wild Turkey Federation and its state chapters are committed to making hunter safety a top priority. In 1991, the NWTF initiated the National Turkey Hunting Safety Task Force to complement the hunter safety efforts of wildlife agencies, the International Hunters Education Association, the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The task force – composed of hunting and shooting safety experts from around the country – met in 1992 to develop a comprehensive hunter safety program, and has since produced and distributed over one million pieces of hunting safety information.

 

Thanks to the cooperative efforts of the members of the National Turkey Hunting Task Force, the number of turkey hunting accidents continues to decrease even as turkey hunters flock to the woods in increasing numbers. Spring turkey hunting accidents have decreased from a high of 8.1 per 100,000 in 1991 to a low of 2.95 per 100,000 in 2001. The number of reported turkey-hunting injuries has fallen by an impressive 50 percent since 1992.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey, please visit www.panwtf.com.

 

Breakout box: Hunting Safety Tips

Safety is a key element when you’re in the woods calling in a big gobbler. A safe turkey hunter is much like a safe driver—you must be defensive minded. Also, keep in mind that a safe hunter is an effective hunter. Here are some tips to consider when you’re in the woods:

1. Select a large stump, blow-down, tree trunk, or rock that is wider than your shoulders and is taller than your head. Place your back against the tree trunk, stump or rock when calling; if hunters move in on you, you are more likely to see them first.
2. Do not wear any white, red, black and blue on your hunting outfit; this includes handkerchiefs, socks, T-shirts and even items like candy wrappers and cigarette packs. These are the "target" colors of a gobbler’s head and body.
3. When calling, select a spot that is in open timber rather than thick brush:

wearing camouflage clothing and eliminating movement is more critical to success than hiding in heavy cover. It will also allow you to better see approaching gobblers and hunters.

4. If you imitate the sound of a gobbling turkey, you could call in other hunters. You should always be cautious, but especially when hunting public land.
5. Always be alert. A good woodsman can always detect movement in the

forest by watching other game or listening for the alarm cries of bluejays, crows,

squirrels, or woodpeckers.

6. Continue to be on alert. When songbirds, crows or your turkey shuts up—look out; there's a good chance another hunter is moving in on your bird and has spooked it.
7. When another hunter is in your presence, never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert the other hunter. You need to remain still and shout to them in a loud, clear voice to get his/her attention. These tactics are safer than quick movements. Use common sense.

Source: Pennsylvania Chapter of NWTF.

For more information, contact: Bob Kasun, Pa. Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation public relations, 814-942-3990. The article is also attached if you prefer to work off an attachment for coding purposes. Also attached is a photo for your use. Please give photo credit "Photo courtesy of National Wild Turkey Federation." Please feel free to use any or this entire article in your publication.