The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners is considering action to reverse the trend of declining turkey populations.
At their most recent meeting the board gave preliminary approval to a proposal to eliminate the use of rifles for turkey hunting.
This measure would not reduce the length of fall turkey season however turkey populations are declining in a majority of Wildlife Management Units. Although only 14 percent of fall turkey hunters use rifles, those who do are responsible for 33 percent of the harvest.
The plan would not affect the majority of hunters but still reduce the fall turkey harvest by an estimated 20 percent. This measure will return to the board’s agenda at the April meeting for a final vote.