Orange not needed for Spring Turkey

[RugerNiner]

Pennsylvania Changes Orange Requirement for 2008 Spring Turkey Season


From Pennsylvania Game Commission

-- Following publication in the March 29 edition of the PA Bulletin, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that hunters planning to participate in the upcoming spring gobbler season will no longer be required to wear fluorescent orange.

On Jan. 29, the Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a regulatory change to remove the fluorescent orange requirements for the spring gobbler hunters.

Publication in the PA Bulletin was the final step required for the change to take effect, and applies for the upcoming 2008 spring gobbler season, which is set for April 26-May 26, as well as the youth spring gobbler day on April 19.

"Various members of Pennsylvania's hunting community for some time have urged the Game Commission to reevaluate its regulatory mandate for turkey hunters wear at least 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange-colored material on the head while moving about or relocating during the spring turkey season," said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director.

"The safety of hunters afield is, without a doubt, one of the paramount concerns of the Game Commission. But, the available statistical data relating to hunting-related shooting incidents during the spring turkey season shows that there is no clear evidence that the fluorescent orange requirement has made any appreciable reduction in spring gobbler hunting-related shooting incidents.

"After a thorough review, the Game Commission concluded eliminating the orange requirement for spring turkey hunting was acceptable. However, if we see a change in the number of hunting-related shooting incidents, this policy will be re-evaluated."