TWO BIRD SPRING GOBBLER SEASON

[LifeNRA]

From today's PGC News Release #5

PRELIMINARY APPROVAL GIVEN TO TWO BIRD SPRING GOBBLER SEASON The Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval for staff to create a system for hunters to purchase a special wild turkey license that will enable them to take a second spring gobbler in the proposed 2006 spring gobbler season. Fees for the special license are $21 for residents and $41 for nonresidents.

Applications for special wild turkey licenses would be submitted to the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters via the Internet or a paper application submitted by mail.

Under the proposal, which must be voted on in April before taking effect, hunters would only be able to submit one application for the special wild turkey license during a license year.

According to Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist, sufficient research has shown that properly timed and implemented multiple bird spring limits have not caused population declines in other states.

"Pennsylvania, however, is unique with its large number of wild turkey hunters and large harvests," Casalena said. "Therefore, it is imperative that sufficient population monitoring occurs prior to any additional season changes. We regularly recommend the change in seasons remain in place for at least 3 years to assess any biological and social impacts caused by that change, after which additional changes could be made, such as extending hunting hours beyond noon."

On July 2, 2004, legislation sponsored by Rep. Merle Phillips was signed into law by Governor Edward G. Rendell to empower the Game Commission to sell special licenses allowing hunters to take an additional wild turkey beyond the two (one fall turkey and one spring gobbler) currently provided for as part of the general hunting license. The measure, House Bill 2042, passed the state House and Senate unanimously.

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, a statewide organization with more than 25,000 members, had endorsed the bill.

"The law creating this special wild turkey license enables the Game Commission to provide Pennsylvania hunters with an opportunity to hunt and harvest a second spring gobbler in the same season," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. "This will in no way impact hunters' current ability to harvest one spring and one fall turkey as part of their general hunting license privileges.

"I want to offer my thanks to Rep. Phillips for introducing this measure, all legislators for supporting it and Governor Rendell for signing it into law."

<font color="red"> Revenues from the special licenses could be used to implement and fund the Game Commission's turkey management plan and further educate turkey hunters, thereby promoting additional recreation and safe hunting practices. </font>

Ross noted that Rep. Phillips, a lifelong turkey hunter, has been actively involved in hunting and fishing issues and in the past has worked with the Game Commission to create special youth projects, including the youth spring turkey hunt.

KEY WORDS HERE ARE "COULD BE USED"!!!

[PaGriz]

Or it "could" wind up in one of Fast Eddies slush funds.
Hmmm! Could be we got sold out again too.
Hey Life does that Hmmm! remind ya of anyone?

PaGriz

[LifeNRA]

[ QUOTE ]
Or it "could" wind up in one of Fast Eddies slush funds.
Hmmm! Could be we got sold out again too.
Hey Life does that Hmmm! remind ya of anyone?

PaGriz

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really! Who are you talking about?

BTW, are you the same PaGriz on HuntingPA.com?

[buckbuster11]

If I'm reading this right it sounds like to me like getting the tag is a similar process to applying for a doe tag. So I'm guessing you cant just get these over the counter...I seriously doubt many people will even buy one if thats the case.

On another note, I can not believe I just read the following phrase....."after which additional changes could be made, such as extending hunting hours beyond noon."
Wow....common sense from the PGC, I cant believe it!!

[LifeNRA]

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Like I said, i'm for the tag but NOT all day hunting! Or even Sunday hunting!

[/ QUOTE ]

I am not for the tag, I wouldnt mind all day hunting either! As for Sunday, its just another day in the week! So yes, I would LOVE SUNDAYS TO HUNT! But thats not the topic here!

PGC is getting greedy thanks to a few politicians, and our bonehead governer!

[snapper]

[ QUOTE ]
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, a statewide organization with more than 25,000 members, had endorsed the bill.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not all members endorsed it!

I would be all for the "all day hunting" and certainly I'm for Sunday hunting. No good reasons not to.

[maytom]

Being from NY, I can't wait for your state to allow a two bird season and Sunday hunting as well!!
I always read where many hunters from PA mention that they just go across the state line and hunt NY!!! Geezzeeee, now let me get this right. Because, that's usually the same guy that mentions being greedy, but I guess it's ok for him to take his one bird in PA, then another two birds in NY? Sounds pretty much like being Hypocritical to me!!!!!

[MadHuntinPastor]

Ya get 3 in VA!!!!! Sorry fellas.

[buckbuster11]

I got a question for you guys...maybe one of you in NWTF can answer this. What is the reasoning behind the spring season only being open until noon? Is it to give the birds some pressure free time to breed?

[snapper]

[ QUOTE ]
Is it to give the birds some pressure free time to breed?

[/ QUOTE ]

Really don't know...I guess I always looked at like you...time to breed. But also time for the hens to feed and rest on their nests without getting bumped by hunters.

As far as hunters crossing the state lines to hunt more birds...no laws being broke. No different than NY hunters buying a non-res. lic. for PA and hunting deer here.
No matter how you look at it...its still greed. Some folks "have" to kill a buck or jake. I'd rather not fill my tag than to shoot an imature animal.

[Strut10]

[ QUOTE ]
......time for the hens to feed and rest on their nests without getting bumped by hunters.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the long-standing theory, right there, in a nutshell. Biologists have begun to credibly dispute the theory, though.

But don't look for the PA Game Comission to adjust any regulations based on sound biology. It's a concept they can't seem to grasp.

[13littleones]

"Greedy" ? If I had the money, I would hunt the grand slam every year. For me personally I hunt 2 states, Idiana and Missouri. Greed has nothing to do with it at all. Most of the non resident tags are sold to people who have moved out of state and are just having fun with old friends they have made over the years. You should be thankful that non'res. buy tags in your state. Do you have any Idea how much money non residents spend each year hunting in your state ?
I buy a non resident tag almost every year in the state of MO. $145 a pop. We hunt way back in the sticks on the ozarks. I could hunt year after year for free if i wanted with no problem, but i chose to help out our cause.
My favorite day of the year , is when i see the sun rise the first day i go turkey hunting and I thank our Veterans for giving me this chance to do the thing I love....... Turkey Hunting :-).... sorry i took the work greedy personal

[maytom]

If you visit the HuntingPA forum, that is where many guys voice that "greed" thing about getting a second tag in PA. I find that quite humerous since they also hunt NY!!! That's why I posted that previous post.

[LifeNRA]

[ QUOTE ]
If you visit the HuntingPA forum, that is where many guys voice that "greed" thing about getting a second tag in PA. I find that quite humerous since they also hunt NY!!! That's why I posted that previous post.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL!!! I am the one that has the survey post, and the one about the additional turkey tags!

[13littleones]

[ QUOTE ]
If you visit the HuntingPA forum, that is where many guys voice that "greed" thing about getting a second tag in PA. I find that quite humerous since they also hunt NY!!! That's why I posted that previous post.

[/ QUOTE ]

I see it know lol,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,