Have dedicated footwear, clothing, and tools that are only used for handling or dressing harvested wild birds.To protect themselves and to reduce the risk of spreading this extremely contagious disease to other birds, hunters are advised to practice the following precautions: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses can be carried by wild birds and have been found across the Pennsylvania landscape. While wild turkeys are highly susceptible to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), their behavior and habitat use place them at less risk of contracting the disease compared to waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and avian scavengers. Last winter the Game Commission leg-banded more than 900 turkeys, including placing backpack style transmitters on more than 260, in a continuing effort to track turkey populations. Hunters should record the supplied confirmation number for the turkey reported.Īll hunters reporting harvests are asked to identify the WMU, county and township where the bird was taken as well as other information.Īdditionally, hunters may harvest a turkey that has been leg-banded or has a transmitter for research purposes, and if so, they should follow the instructions on the band or the transmitter. Hunters will need to have their license and their copy of the harvest tag in front of them when they make the call. Hunters reporting their turkey harvests over the telephone can call 1-80 and follow the prompts. Within 10 days of harvest, turkey hunters must report harvests to the Game Commission, either by going online to the Game Commission’s website, calling toll-free or mailing in a prepaid post card. The turkey must be tagged immediately after harvest and before the turkey is moved, and the tag must be securely attached to a leg until the bird is prepared for consumption or mounting. Mentored hunters under age 7 may receive, by transfer, a fall turkey tag supplied by their mentor. Successful fall turkey hunters must tag their birds according to instructions provided on the printed harvest tags supplied with their licenses, then report harvests. Where food is abundant, determining turkey movement patterns around that food will improve hunting success. “And expect to find flocks concentrated on available food sources, such as areas with acorn production or agricultural areas.”Ĭasalena also encourages hunters to cover a lot of ground in areas where acorn or beechnut production is abundant because flocks are not constrained by limited food. “Although fall flock sizes may be smaller this year, there may be more flocks due to the above-average reproduction the previous two years” said Game Commission wild turkey biologist Mary Jo Casalena. But it was greater this year than in 20 across many WMUs. Turkey reproduction in 2023, as measured by the number of poults observed per all hens observed, was lower than in 20. Since 2012 there have been one or fewer turkey-hunting related shooting incidents each year, and 2022 marked the sixth year with no incidents. Fall hunter success of 10.8% was 29% greater than the 8.4% in 2021. Statewide fall hunter participation (70,500 hunters) was 14% less in 2022 than in 2021 (81,500 hunters). The 2022 statewide fall harvest (7,600 turkeys) was 12% greater than 2021 (6,800 turkeys). In 2021, season length in 15 WMUs was shortened, or closed, and the use of centerfire or rimfire rifles was eliminated. When turkey populations are below goal in a WMU, the fall season structure is reduced to allow more female turkeys to survive to nesting. During the fall season any turkey can be harvested, and female turkeys make up over 50% of the fall harvest. While fall turkey hunters no longer are required to wear fluorescent orange, the Game Commission highly recommends the use of orange, especially while moving.Įveryone who purchases a hunting license receives one fall turkey tag, as well as one spring tag. Hunters may use shotguns and archery gear only. Pennsylvania’s fall turkey season kicked off Saturday in 19 of Pennsylvania’s 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs.) Hunters are advised that the three-day Thanksgiving season again will run Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Īs a reminder, no single-projectile firearms may be used in the fall turkey seasons.
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