For immediate release.
For more information contact:
Gary Beatty, (724) 588-3343
Don Heckman, (717) 761-5925

NO SECOND SPRING TURKEY FOR GOBBLER HUNTERS

The proposal to allow turkey hunters to harvest a second gobbler during the 1999 spring gobbler season has been a controversial subject. Discussion on the matter has taken place since the Commissioners of the Pennsylvania Game Commission introduced the idea in January 1998.

Following the July 14, 1998 meeting of the Pennsylvania Game Commission the second bird spring tag proposal for turkey hunters was struck down by the same Board of Commissioners who brought the subject to the table.

Gary Beatty, President of the Pennsylvania State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, said, "We support the Pennsylvania Game Commissioners decision NOT to allow the second tag for spring gobbler hunters, at this time. The tags for a second spring bird are now part of the 1998-1999 Pennsylvania Hunting License. Our membership and the general hunting public does not support the second bird spring tag, at this time."

Beatty went on to say, "However, we look forward to working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission in the immediate future on a spring turkey hunting license. The PA State Chapter of the NWTF remains focused on obtaining more scientific management data on the resource. We also remain focused on developing habitat for the wild turkey along with providing additional hunting opportunity."