Why Should Turkey Hunters
Support a Spring Turkey Hunting License?
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Turkey
populations are at their highest levels since we’ve been keeping record
(estimated over 300,000).
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When
it comes to turkey hunting, we are in the “good ole days” – but those times won’t
always be here.
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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.
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We
need to act NOW to keep turkey numbers high for the future.
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A
steady source of funding will allow the Game Commission to manage wild turkeys
and turkey hunting more efficiently and effectively.
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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?
Ø
Improved
and more detailed information on wild turkey harvest will become available.
Ø
Better
research data to provide the information Biologists need to make management
decisions.
Ø
Turkey
hunter safety material will be provided directly to turkey hunters.
Ø
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.
Ø
More
habitat improvement projects helping to increase turkey populations.
Ø
Better
law enforcement aimed specifically at wild turkey violations.
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Turkey
hunter opinions and satisfaction levels will be acquired more efficiently.
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Some
funds might be used for purchasing more game lands.
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Management
Plan for Wild Turkeys will continue be successful.
How will the average turkey
hunter benefit?
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This
license will help ensure the future of the sport you enjoy.
Ø
Funds
will provide turkey hunters with specific turkey hunting and turkey biology
information and hunter safety materials.
Ø
Turkey
hunter surveys will give you the ability to express your concerns and opinions
about turkey management in the Commonwealth.
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More
places to hunt.
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Improved
habitat may provide additional hunting prospects.
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Turkey
hunter safety will be improved.
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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 21st 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.
Pennsylvania
Chapter – National Wild Turkey Federation
www.go2pa.com/panwtf panwtf@go2pa.com