Originally Posted by
bluebird2
Without a doubt the current courses emphasize not stalking turkeys in both the spring and fall. But, the vast majority of PA hunters either didn't take a hunter safety course or took it before 2000 when stalking turkeys in the fall was legal. Therefore,a lot of PA hunters have no idea that it is illegal to stalk turkeys in the fall, since the PGC doesn't state in the Digest that it is illegal in the fall.
BTW, making stalking illegal in the spring hasn't prevented some hunters from stalking and shooting other hunters who are calling like a hen, even though only bearded gobblers are legal. Therefore, if fall turkey hunting was limited strictly to calling ,it would make fall hunting more difficult and may actually increase the number of accidental shootings.
If the stalking law is not in the Digest a WCO will have a hard time with that one in the woods. Hunters will always shoot other hunters no matter what is taught in Hunter Safety. Thats just the way it is. Can't stop it, only try . Where does it say in the Digest that you can only shoot bearded gobblers. On page 35 of the digest it states that you can shoot only turkeys with a visible beards in the spring. On a side note ! I would never shoot a bearded Hen!