Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page 36) TURKEY SEASONS, BAG LIMITS & REGULATIONS Only one turkey may be taken in each season, except for those hunters who possess a second license for the spring season, in which case a second bearded bird can be taken. One bird only may be harvested per day, however. Fall Turkey Season: WMUs 1A, 1B & 2A (Shotgun, bow & arrow only) Nov. 1 - 15 WMU 2B (Shotgun, bow & arrow only) Nov. 1 - 22 WMUs 2C, 2E, 2F, 4A & 4B Nov. 1 - 15 WMUs 2D, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D & 4E Nov. 1- 22 WMUs 5A & 5B Closed to fall hunting WMUs 5C & 5D (Shotgun, bow & arrow only) Nov. 1-7 pacity in the chamber and magazine combined; 3) Muzzleloading shotguns, rifles and handguns; and 4) Long, recurve, compound bows or crossbows with broadheads of cutting edge design. Single projectile ammunition or shot no larger than No. 4 lead, bismuth-tin or tungsten-iron, and No. 2 steel. The fall seasons in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 5C & 5D are limited to shotguns and long, recurve, compound bows or crossbows with broadheads of cutting edge design. Arms & Ammunition: Spring Gobbler Season: 1) Manually operated and autoloading shotguns limited to a 3-shell capacity in the chamber and magazine combined; 2) Muzzleloading shotguns of all types and gauges; 3) Long, recurve, compound bows or crossbows with cutting-edge broadheads. Fine shot no larger than No. 4 lead, bismuth-tin and tungsten-iron, or No. 2 steel. Rifle/shotgun combination guns may be used if ammunition is limited to shotgun shells. Carrying or using single projectile ammunition, rifles or handguns is unlawful. Spring Gobbler Season: April 25 - May 25, 2009 Statewide. Only turkeys with visible beards are legal. Hunting by calling only — no stalking — one-half hour before sunrise until noon. Hunters must be out of the woods by 1 p.m. Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: Statewide. Bearded birds only. Eligible junior hunters only with the required license and accompanied by an adult as required by law (see License Information section). Youngsters under 12 participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program. See the Mentored Youth Program section elsewhere in the Digest. To Participate in this year’s Youth Spring Turkey Hunt on April 18, 2009 (with the exception of youngsters under 12 participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program), youngsters are required to have a junior hunting license and be accompanied by an adult as required by law. The hunt will observe normal spring gobbler hours, starting a half-hour before sunrise and ending at noon. Only a bearded bird is legal. Keep in mind that if you need to purchase a current hunting license to participate in the spring gobbler season that commercial issuing agents are required to return their licenses by January 31. County Treasurers and PGC offices sell licenses year-round, including on the PGC’s website. Migrating and nesting hawks and owls may be encountered during the spring gobbler season. Hunters, please keep any disturbances to a minimum, and remember that all birds of prey are protected. April 18, 2009 Fluorescent Orange Requirements: Fall Season: Turkey hunters must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined, visible 360 degrees at all times when moving. May be removed at stationary calling location, providing a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent orange material is posted within 15 feet of the location and is visible 360 degrees. • Exception: In wildlife management units limited to hunting with shotguns and bows and arrows (WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 5C & 5D) hunters when moving must wear a hat containing a minimum of 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange material, visible 360 degrees at all times. While fluorescent orange is not required in these zones at stationary calling locations, it’s strongly recommended. Spring Season: Fluorescent orange is no longer required but is recommended when moving through the spring woods. Regulations: In both spring and fall seasons, it is unlawful to possess or use live turkeys as decoys, or to drive or use electronic callers or devices. Dogs can be used to hunt turkeys during the fall season but not during the spring. Blinds: The use of turkey blinds is legal under the following definition: Any artificial or manufactured turkey blind consisting of all man-made materials of sufficient density to block the detection of movement within the blind from an observer outside the blind. Artificial or manufactured turkey blinds consisting of all man-made materials means blinds must be constructed of plastic, nylon, canvas, cotton cloth, plywood or other manmade materials. Blinds made by piling rocks, logs, branches, etc. are unlawful. The blind must completely enclose the hunter on all four sides and from above to block the detection of movement within the blind. When fluorescent orange is required at a stationary calling location in fall seasons, at least 100 square inches must be displayed outside the blind and within 15 feet of the blind, visible 360 degrees. Tagging, Reporting Requirements: Successful turkey hunters must follow all instructions printed on tags supplied with licenses. Separate tags are provided for fall and spring seasons. The turkey must be tagged immediately after harvest and before the carcass is moved. The tag must be securely attached to a leg until the bird is prepared for consumption or mounting. Once you have used your tag it is unlawful to possess it in the field. Also, please remember to remove your old hunting license from the holder before you place your current license in the holder. If you keep your old licenses with you while hunting you may accidentally use a tag from a previous year to tag your turkey and unwittingly violate the law. Turkey hunters must report harvests to the PGC in Harrisburg within 10 days, using a postage-paid report card supplied with each hunting license or found elsewhere in this Digest. In addition to other information, hunters are asked to identify the WMU where the bird was taken. For more details, see the “Tagging, Transporting & Reporting” section under “Big Game Regulations” elsewhere in this Digest. Arms & Ammunition: Fall Season: 1) Manually operated rifles and handguns, including rimfires; 2) Manually operated and autoloading shotguns limited to a 3-shell ca-
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