Pennsylvania Game News - September 2022 - 38

JULY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
BOARD APPROVES MORE
FALL TURKEY CHANGES
The Pennsylvania Board of Game
Commissioners in July gave final approval
to a measure that simplifies regulations
and provides the Game Commission yet
another tool to respond to below-goal
turkey populations.
In years past, reducing the length of
the fall turkey season was the primary
method to increase turkey populations.
But last year, the Game Commission
eliminated the use of centerfire and
rimfire rifles in fall turkey season, noting
that relatively few hunters used rifles,
but rifles were responsible for about
one-third of the fall turkey harvest. That
provides an additional means to protect
turkey populations without reducing
season length.
The measure the board adopted in
July eliminates the use of other singleprojectile
firearms - muzzleloading rifles
and handguns, and slug guns - in the
fall turkey season. It was expected to
take effect sometime in August, after
publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
The Game Commission will issue a news
release soon after the change takes effect.
Eliminating the use of muzzleloading
rifles and handguns, and slug guns in fall
turkey season would seem to impact less
than 1% of hunters. The change makes for
simpler regulations. Once it takes effect,
only shotguns and archery gear will be
lawful for fall turkey hunting.
" Fall turkey season length in a given
wildlife management unit often varies
from one year to the next because of
adjustments intended to meet turkey
population goals, " said Commissioner
Michael Mitrick, who represents District
6 in southcentral Pennsylvania. " But
with this change, one thing is constant:
regardless of the season or where you're
hunting turkeys, only shotguns and
archery gear are allowed. It can't get
much simpler. "
38
expert evaluations, and prior, out-of-state
reintroduction efforts, marten impacts to
other species are minimal while impacts
from other predators to marten also are
minimal.
Habitat suitability modeling shows
that there is sufficient habitat within
Pennsylvania for a marten population.
Extensive research from across the
marten's range proves that most of their
diet consists of small mammals such as
voles, mice and shrews, as well as insects
and plants.
A large majority of the public supports
marten reintroduction, and it would likely
be successful based on the assessment.
Reasons for reintroduction cover ecological,
political, social, and cultural aspects
and this could be considered an appropriate
next step in the Game Commission's
history of species restoration within the
Commonwealth. The assessment and
general information on American martens
can be found at www.pgc.pa.gov.
The American Marten Reintroduction
and Management Plan to be developed
by the Bureau of Wildlife Management
will identify optimal release sites,
potential source populations, as well
as provide specifics on translocation
methodology, research and monitoring,
cooperative partnerships, and long-term
management.
An important part of this plan will
also be providing the public with information
and education on the marten and
its ecology.
Once completed, this plan will be
made available for public review and
comment prior to being presented to the
Board of Commissioners for their review
and final approval to move forward with
reintroduction.
http://www.pgc.pa.gov
Pennsylvania Game News - September 2022

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