PGC Management Plan For Wild Turkeys In
Pennsylvania - December 2006-2015
Section I - Management Goals, Objectives, and Strategies
GOAL: Provide optimum
wild turkey populations in suitable habitats throughout Pennsylvania for
hunting and viewing recreation by current and future generations.
Six objectives have been identified to accomplish the goal. A set of strategies (how to accomplish the objective) is
outlined under each objective. Target timeframes for completion areincluded with each strategy, and work is
to be completed by the end of the year specified. In cases where work
is continuous or will be repeated annually, timeframes are not necessary. Target
timeframes are summarized in Appendix 1 to help with budget and resource
planning.
Population Objective: Sustain or enhance healthy wild turkey populations in
each Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) at or below social carrying capacity.
Strategies
1.1 Annually
provide both a statewide spring bearded bird-only season and a conservative
fall either-sex season in WMUs that can sustain a fall harvest, while maintaining
or enhancing populations at or below social carrying capacity.
1.2 Annually
use fall season lengths as the primary means for managing populations by
WMU.
1.3 Annually
assess WMU turkey population status and trends by analyzing spring harvest
densities (from report cards and Game Take Survey), and summer turkey sighting
survey data.
1.4 By
2007 collect age and sex information of harvested turkeys for both fall and
spring hunting seasons to build population models and help direct future
management decisions.
1.5 By
2008 implement an annual spring gobbler hunter survey to obtain spring harvest
information, by sex and age, in time for providing seasons and bag limits
recommendations for the next hunting year.
1.6 By
2007 evaluate the new mid-Atlantic wild turkey population model for application
in Pennsylvania, and implement in 2008.
1.7 By
2008, if the new model requires additional data, develop and initiate research
to collect data to fully implement the model and improve outputs.
1.8 Continue
to conduct the 4-year (2006-2009) multistate gobbler harvest and annual survival
rate study, and utilize these data for the population model.
1.9 By
2010 begin a study to determine harvest and survival rates of hen turkeys
to be used for population modeling and setting fall season lengths.
1.10 By 2009
determine if each WMU provides enough data for reliably analyzing population
trends, or if combining data from some WMUs provides more reliable trends.
1.11 By 2009
determine whether the statewide two-bird spring bag limit has had any affect
on the age structure of the turkey population; recommend regulations changes
if needed.
1.12 By 2007
develop a set of standard solutions to perceived and actual conflicts caused
by wild turkey populations (nuisance, agricultural damage, illegal releases
of pen-reared wild turkeys).
1.13 By 2007
begin to quantify turkey complaints across the state by season, type and
location.
1.14 By 2007
begin to train personnel in identifying agricultural damage caused by turkeys
versus other wildlife species.
1.15 By 2008
determine wild turkey social carrying capacity by WMU.
1.16 By 2013
develop a habitat suitability model for large-scale turkey harvest and habitat
assessment for Pennsylvania.
Habitat Objective: Improve quality of existing, and minimize loss of, wild
turkey habitat throughout the state.
Strategies
2.1 By
2007, using existing information on turkey habitat requirements, identify
wild turkey habitat management priorities for State Game Lands Management
Plans taking into consideration landscape features and land use on adjacent
properties.
2.2 Beginning
in 2008, annually quantify habitat management practices being conducted on
State Game Lands to benefit wild turkeys.
2.3 Annually
evaluate efficacy of commercial and noncommercial habitat management practices
on State Game Lands for creating and maintaining turkey habitat, especially
brood rearing and winter habitat, and recommend adjustments where appropriate,
as part of adaptive resource management.
2.4 By
2008 complete at least two demonstration areas per PGC Region on State Game
Lands to promote, to other public agencies and private landowners, commercial
and noncommercial forestry and herbaceous vegetation management practices
beneficial to wild turkeys.
2.5 Beginning
in 2009, annually conduct at least one workshop or field trip per PGC Region
at a turkey habitat demonstration area for private landowners and other public
land managers.
2.6 Annually
develop and/or continue partnerships for funding and assistance with land
acquisitions, easements, priority cooperative projects and habitat demonstration
areas on State Game Lands.
2.7 Annually
provide technical information and assistance regarding turkey habitat management
(especially for brood-rearing and wintering habitat) to private landowners
and other public land managers through the PGC website, the Regional Wildlife
Management Program and Public Access Programs (Safety Zone, Farm Game, and
Forest Game).
2.8 Annually
promote use of prescribed fire and other appropriate management practices
to establish and maintain oak regeneration, which provides an important fall
and winter wild turkey food source.
Information and Education Objective: Assess and improve the publics’ knowledge, awareness
and understanding of the wild turkey resource and its management.
Strategies
3.1 Beginning
in 2007, and at 5-year intervals, conduct surveys to determine knowledge,
attitudes, characteristics and levels of satisfaction of hunters and other
stakeholders toward wild turkey populations and management issues.
3.2 Annually
report research and management findings and conclusions to the public through
all forms of media.
3.3 Annually
provide educational information through all forms of media and speaking engagements
on various aspects of wild turkey biology, habitat management, and harvest
management (including resolving nuisance/conflict situations, harvest reporting
and its misconceptions and the importance of properly timing the opening
of our spring season).
3.4 Beginning
in 2007, develop and publish fact sheets or “frequently asked questions” information
sheets on various aspects of wild turkey management addressing common questions
and misunderstandings; put on PGC website, in the Hunting and Trapping Digest and Game News as
appropriate.
3.5 By
2008, disseminate information through all forms of media to farmers and other
landowners about turkey behavior and how to identify and handle crop damage
and nuisances in urban-suburban areas.
Hunting Heritage/Hunter Safety
Objective: Promote and improve the knowledge, safety and participation
of wild turkey hunters.
Strategies
4.1 By
2008 evaluate the option of expanding hunter education programs to include
an optional and separate course in wild turkey hunting and safety.
4.2 By
2009 determine participation rates of the various age segments of turkey
hunters and recommend ways of increasing participation of those various segments.
4.3 Annually
assess and explore opportunities for continued development of the turkey
hunting aspect of the youth mentored hunting program in Pennsylvania.
4.4 By
2007 evaluate the pros and cons of expanding the youth spring gobbler season
to an all-day season.
4.5 Annually
consider implementation of expanded spring hunting opportunities, including,
but not limited to, multiple bird bag limits, extended hunting hours, Sunday
hunting, and longer seasons.
4.6 Annually
maintain and expand the Game Commission’s public access programs to
help promote and protect these privately owned lands open to public hunting.
4.7 Annually
acquire turkey habitat in order to expand hunting opportunities.
4.8 Once
a database of turkey hunters is established develop and distribute educational
and hunter safety materials directly to turkey hunters.
4.9 By
2011 investigate relationships between spring and fall hunter density and
turkey hunter safety, and compare with other states. If considered
necessary, recommend regulation changes to control hunter density by WMU.
4.10 Annually
conduct information and education programs within the agency and with partners
to help minimize and control turkey hunting related shooting incidents and
to promote wild turkey hunter safety/ethics.
4.11 Annually
monitor hunter compliance with fluorescent orange turkey hunting regulations.
4.12 By 2007
review orange requirements, evaluate the pros and cons of regulatory alternatives
and, if appropriate, recommend changes to the spring season fluorescent orange
turkey hunting regulations.
4.13 Annually
assure that complete information on turkey hunting related shooting incidents
are included in all International Hunting Education Association reports.
Wild Turkey Protection: Improve hunter compliance with laws and regulations regarding
wild turkey management.
Strategies
5.1 Annually
assess hunter compliance with laws and regulations to protect the wild turkey
resource.
5.2 Annually
use wild turkey decoys and other appropriate law enforcement tools to discourage road hunting
and poaching. Utilize partnerships to assist with purchasing equipment.
5.3 Annually
seek legislation to increase penalties for serious violations.
Cooperative Partnerships Objective: Maintain and enhance partnerships in all aspects of wild
turkey management.
Strategies
6.1 When
requested, assist states and Canadian provinces with their wild turkey restoration
or range expansion programs by trapping and transferring turkeys, if biologically,
socially and economically feasible.
6.2 Continue
the partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation in implementing
all aspects of the wild turkey management plan in Pennsylvania.
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