By Tom Tatum

With Thanksgiving looming just weeks away, what better time to talk turkey in the fields and woods of Penn’s Woods than now?

To that end, everyone who purchased a Pennsylvania hunting license received a fall turkey tag along with a spring tag. During the fall season, any turkey can be harvested, and female turkeys make up more than 50 percent of the fall harvest. When turkey populations are below goal in a wildlife management unit, fall season structure is reduced to allow more turkeys to survive to nesting.

In early November we are in the midst of Pennsylvania’s fall turkey season, which began on November 2 in 20 of Pennsylvania’s 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). The fall season is closed here in WMU 5C and 5D, but for the rest of the WMUs. , the length of the season is as follows: WMUs 1B, 3D, 4C and 4E closed on November 9; WMUs 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D – Nov. 2-Nov. 16; WMU 2A, 2F, 3B and 3C – November 2 – November 2. 16 and 27 Nov. 29; WMU 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E – Nov. 2 – Nov. 2 Nov. 22 and 27-Nov. 29; and WMU 5A and 5B which closed on November 5. Hunters should be aware that the three-day Thanksgiving season will again run Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but only in the applicable WMUs.

“Fall seasons were extended in several units this year and the results of the summer 2024 observation survey showed above average poultry recruitment overall with all WMUs showing good numbers,” he explained Mary Jo Casalena, Wild Turkey Biologist for the Game Commission. “The 2024 fall turkey season is shaping up to be a good one.”

The annual turkey sighting survey was conducted in July and August and the number of turkey sightings almost doubled from last year, 30,286 compared to 15,431 in 2023. The breeding index for 2024 was 3.2 chicks to all hens observed, which is above the previous five. – annual average of 2.9 chicks per hen. This is the first year since the start of the national standardized survey in 2019 that all UMDs have reported indices above the general threshold of 2.0 chicks per hen, which is considered adequate to replace adult mortality.

“This annual summer survey allows us to estimate the number of turkeys seen per hen statewide in July and August,” Casalena said. “It’s an index of reproductive success over time. We use this in our turkey population model and to assess population trends and part of our recommendation process for the fall turkey season.”

Breeding success varies annually due to many factors, particularly spring and summer rainfall, temperature, habitat conditions, predation, insect abundance, and hen condition.

Turkey hunters who have been accustomed to using rifles in the fall for many years were not pleased when the Pennsylvania Game Commission made the practice illegal several years ago for safety reasons as well as to protect the resource. As a reminder, the agency warns that single-shot firearms cannot be used during fall turkey seasons. Hunters may only use fine shot rifles and archery equipment.

While fall turkey hunters are no longer required to wear fluorescent orange, the Game Commission strongly recommends the use of orange, especially while on the move.

Successful fall turkey hunters must tag their birds according to the instructions provided on the printed harvest tags provided with their licenses, then report their harvests. Mentored hunters under the age of seven may transfer a fall turkey tag provided by their mentor.

The turkey must be tagged immediately after harvest and before the turkey is moved, and the tag must be firmly attached to a leg until the bird is ready for consumption or mounting. Within 10 days of harvest, turkey hunters must report harvests to the Game Commission, either by going to the Game Commission website, www.pgc.pa.gov, calling toll-free, or sending a prepaid postcard.

Hunters reporting their turkey harvests by phone can call 1-800-838-4431 and follow the instructions. Hunters will need to have their license and copy of the harvest tag in front of them when making the call. Hunters should record the confirmation number provided for the reported turkey.

All hunters reporting harvests are asked to identify the WMU, county and township where the bird was taken, as well as other information.

Additionally, hunters may harvest a turkey that has been banded or has a transmitter for research purposes and, if so, should follow the instructions on the band or transmitter. Last winter, the Game Commission ranged more than 600 turkeys (up from 3,100 in 2020), including placing backpack-style transmitters on 234 (up from 600 in 2022), in an ongoing effort to track turkey populations.

**** BEWARE OF INFECTED TURKEYS. While wild turkeys are highly susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), their behavior and habitat use place them at lower risk of contracting the disease compared to waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and avian carnivores.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses can be carried by wild birds and have been found in the Pennsylvania landscape. To protect themselves and reduce the risk of spreading this highly contagious disease to other birds, hunters are advised to practice the following precautions:

Have dedicated footwear, clothing and tools that are only used for handling or dressing wild harvested birds. Do not handle or harvest wild birds that appear sick or are found dead. Wear gloves when handling or dressing harvested wild birds. Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling or dressing harvested wild birds. Dress wild birds picked in the field.

Double bag any organs and feathers that will be removed from the field.

Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after handling or dressing harvested wild birds.

Wash all tools and work surfaces with soap and water after use, then disinfect with a 10% household bleach solution. Allow to air dry or rinse after 10 minutes contact time. Change shoes and clothing before coming into contact with domestic birds or pets.

While flu viruses can infect humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that currently in the United States, “viruses circulating in birds are believed to pose a low risk to the general public.”

Any sick or dead poultry should be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 717-772-2852. Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-WILD or online using the Wildlife Health Survey tool at www.pgcapps.pa.gov/WHS.

**** Tom Tatum is the outdoors columnist for MediaNews Group. You can contact him at [email protected].