Why Should Turkey Hunters Support a Spring Turkey Hunting License?

 

Ø       Turkey populations are at their highest levels since we’ve been keeping record (estimated over 300,000).

Ø       When it comes to turkey hunting, we are in the “good ole days” – but those times won’t always be here.

Ø       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.

Ø       We need to act NOW to keep turkey numbers high for the future.

Ø       A steady source of funding will allow the Game Commission to manage wild turkeys and turkey hunting more efficiently and effectively.

Ø       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.

Ø       Turkey hunter opinions and satisfaction levels will be acquired more efficiently.

Ø       Some funds might be used for purchasing more game lands.

Ø       Management Plan for Wild Turkeys will continue be successful.  

 

How will the average turkey hunter benefit?

 

Ø       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.

Ø       More places to hunt.

Ø       Improved habitat may provide additional hunting prospects.

Ø       Turkey hunter safety will be improved.

Ø       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.

 

Pennsylvania Chapter – National Wild Turkey Federation

www.go2pa.com/panwtf                    panwtf@go2pa.com

Send mail to panwtf@go2pa.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2000 Pennsylvania Chapter- National Wild Turkey Federation
Last modified: November 20, 2003