Gobbler season starts today

"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 on Saturday.

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.

"The spring harvest last year was below the long-term trend," the agency reported. "Prospects look okay for harvesting jakes and two-yearolds, but only fair for harvesting older gobblers."

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 through May 26. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon.