Spring gobbler forecast coined 'fair to excellent'

"Fair to excellent" is how the Pa. Game Commission describes spring gobbler hunting prospects in Cameron and Potter counties this year.

The regular season opens next Saturday. Youths get an early turkey hunt this Saturday morning.

Turkey populations in Cameron County and in southern Potter County are "fair," according to Game Commission field officers. That's based on summer sightings and other analysis.

Conditions are much better north of Rt. 6 in Potter County.

"They're excellent for jakes and two-year-olds, and average to slightly above average for older gobblers," said the Game Commission. "Summer turkey sightings during the last two years were as good as the heyday years of 2001 and 2002. Prospects look very promising."

The season runs from April 28 to May 26. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon.

Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist, said hunters took about 44,000 spring gobblers statewide last year, which was slightly higher than the 2005 figures.

About 240,000 hunters will go afield next Saturday, the agency estimates.

"Taking a spring gobbler is quite an accomplishment," Casalena noted. "Taking a mature gobbler is even more exhilarating. However, if you twitch or your stomach grumbles at the wrong time, your prize will be making tracks in the other direction. When you do succeed, though, the experience is incredibly satisfying."

For the first-time ever, those under the age of 12 may hunt with a mentor. Mentored youth do not need a hunting license or permit, but must be accompanied by a licensed adult.