Wild Turkey Hunting In Pennsylvania

We are privileged to be able to enjoy both spring and fall hunting in this state. To continue to have the outstanding hunting we have come to expect, fall harvests are carefully monitored and trends in spring harvests are watched. Modern research has shown that spring gobbler hunting can provide maximum recreational opportunity to hunters with little impact on the turkey population. Research has also shown that we can maintain fall hunting, too. However, we must acknowledge that as hunter numbers and the popularity of the sport grow, fall hunting opportunities might not expand as rapidly.

As the turkey population and our understanding of them grew, traditions also changed. Spring turkey hunting was reinstated in 1968, after being closed since 1873, but with the restriction of harvesting bearded birds only, protecting nesting hens. Because the spring season opens after the peak of breeding, and gobblers are polygamous, acquiring a harem of hens to which he breeds, the excess gobblers can be harvested annually without impacting the population. Ever since 1984 Pennsylvanians have enjoyed a month-long spring season, statewide.