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.