More Pennsylvania Turkey Hunting News from Dizzy Ducks Den

Three-quarters of the officers
reporting rated wild turkey hunting as
excellent; the remainder rated it
good. Crawford County WCO John
McKellop III said, "There is no area in
eastern Crawford County that does
not have turkeys, and most areas
have excellent numbers. I feel they
are probably under-harvested here."
In Clarion and Jefferson counties,
LMO Brad Myers said, "I'm seeing
large flocks everywhere. With the
somewhat spotty cherry production
this year, cherry stands that produce
are a sure bet to find fall turkeys."
Warren County WCO Don Daugherty
said, "About all I can say is turkeys
are everywhere." Forest County
WCO Rich Cramer said, "TMAs 2 or
3 are both good bets when pursuing
these wily birds." Erie County WCO
Darin Clark said, "Turkey populations
have continued to do well. A little
pre-season scouting is all that is
needed for a rewarding turkey hunt.
Most woods have turkeys in them. It
is just a matter of locating what area
they are working." Butler County
WCO Randy Pilarcik said,
"Regardless of the habitat, farmlands
or the bigger woods surrounding
Moraine State Park, turkey hunters
should have no trouble locating
flocks. With this year's poor acorn
crop, after you figure out where
acorns are found, the birds should
be easier to find also." Venango
County WCO Lenny Hribar said,
"Wild turkeys are abundant. The
unusual spring weather seemed to
disrupt nesting. This resulted in
broods of different ages hatching this
year."

Southwest Region - An
overwhelming majority of field officers
rated turkey hunting as excellent for
this fall. In Beaver County, WCO
Doug Carney said, "I have seen
thousands of turkeys this summer.

The turkey population is extremely
high. You should have no problem
hunting and harvesting a turkey. I
recommend hunting private land, but
get permission first. Farmers want
some turkeys harvested." Indiana
County WCO Pat Snickles said,
"Sightings are numerous and
commonplace. There really isn't any
part of the county that doesn't offer
excellent turkey hunting. With a little
preseason scouting, turkey hunters
shouldn't have any trouble finding
birds this fall." In Somerset County,
WCO Brian Witherite said, "SGL 50,
82 and 111 probably have the
largest concentrations of turkeys."
Westmoreland County WCO Rod
Ansell said, "Turkeys are found just
about anywhere you wish to spend
time looking for them." Armstrong
County WCO Barry Seth said, "We
continue to have a decent turkey
population, however, not near the
number of birds we had four years
ago." LMO Doug Dunkerley, who
works in Allegheny, Beaver, Greene
and Westmoreland counties, said,
"Turkey populations still remain at an
all-time high. There is very little
pressure for turkey in the fall season
and most birds are harvested
incidental to other hunting." Fayette
County WCO Charlie May said,
"Hunting prospects in both TMA 6
and TMA 1A are excellent this year."
Cambria County WCO Larry
Olsavsky said, "Wild turkeys are
thriving."

Northcentral Region - Field officers
rated turkey hunting prospects as
excellent throughout most of the
region. Clearfield County WCO Dave
Carlini said, "Turkey hunting should
be fabulous this year. Turkey
numbers are very high and sightings
are so common, it is actually hard for
me to explain. I can't leave my house
and not see at least 50 turkeys.

" In Centre County, WCO Kris Krebs
said, "Wild turkey populations are
outstanding and turkey sightings
have been on the rise. They are
abundant on public lands, particularly
the Rothrock and Bald Eagle state
forests." Lycoming County WCO Rick
Deiterich said, "I have never seen as
large a population in an area before.
It seems that there are turkeys
behind every tree in the county,
especially on SGL 252." In Tioga
County, WCO Rich Shire said, "Wild
turkey numbers continue to be very
high. Hunters should pay particular
attention to woodlands bordering
farms as large numbers of turkeys
have been sighted in these areas.
Preseason scouting and securing
permission prior to the season are
musts." In Elk and McKean counties,
LMO John Dzemyan reported, "Wild
turkey populations are high. Hunters
will do well to find the beechnuts and
acorns this fall as those masts are
spotty and that's where the turkeys
will be." Union County WCO Tom
Smith said, "Many birds have been
regularly spotted on trips into the
Bald Eagle State Forest and foraging
along farm fields. The suppressed
acorn crop may keep the birds on the
move this fall." Clinton County WCO
John Wasserman said, "Wild turkeys
are everywhere." McKean County
WCO Len Groshek added,
"Everyone is commenting on the
number of birds they've been seeing."

Southcentral Region - Field officers
rated fall wild turkey hunting as good
to excellent for the upcoming season.
In Bedford County, WCO Jim
Trombetto said, "Turkey populations
are in excellent shape after a mild
winter and spring.

continued on the next page