State legislature wouldn't have to vote on it if the PAGC didn't bring it to the table... would they?

Either way... it's a wedgy... and until there is some better form of accountability towards the funds received from PA sportsmen... I will never be happy with the increases we are seeing.

-DT

Edited by - PA DropTine on 01/13/2002 22:07:33

I guess I am going to be the one to go against the grain on this one. I would support a $5.00 fee for a Spring Turkey stamp provided the money is used to either a) directly enhance the existing public land as a turkey habitat or, b) to buy more land for public hunting.

I have no problem paying more for the right to hunt any animal.....provided the money generated from such a situation would go to increasing hunter opportunity...in either land or time.

Frank, I think most of us would be less resistant to the idea if there was true accountability with a new tag. The PGC hasn't really done that. For example , does anyone know where the money went from the tripling of the archery stamp? How about the muzzleloader license, what additional opportunities were brought on by that? Did the furtakers license do anything but add a few $$ for the PGC while putting off even more folks from harvesting animals (furbearers) that are being grossly underharvested already? I say, if the PGC needs more money, then let em take the scrutiny that goes along with a general increase. Don't sneak in yet another tag because it's easier to get through the legislature.

I have been in favor of this for years. I think the biggest thing it will do is get rid of the idiots that parade around the spring woods from Sun up until 7am calling and making all kinds of noise and then go home. Messing everything up for the rest of us.

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, they want to use this money for several things. 1 being education. If there is one thing that Turkey hunting needs, it is educations for the majority of the yahoo's that call themselves turkey hunters. If it was legal to shoot these idiots, I would tag out every year. I believe the other items were Research about the turkey and mailings to the turkey hunting population in pa to collect more data. Here is the link, http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/o...moyerfeat4.asp check it out.

Edited by - pops423 on 01/14/2002 12:57:50

Like I said, GREEDY. I personally havn't noticed a bunch of idiots running around the spring but I am SURE that it happens more than it should. I have a idea though, why don't they just push this more in hunters safety courses. It would save hunters money and it would be more effective. We had one short movie about turkey hunting at my hunters safety course. All it mentioned was not to stalk a turkey sound because it could be another hunter. Just push this harder to the youth, and you won't have nearly as bad of a problem. I know that their is a lot of ways to hunt that my grandfather has told me were "secret little tricks" that I don't follow. Such as shaking a vine that is holding a squirrel nest. Taking pots and pans in the woods to do drives. The stuff that reflects our older generation, when you had to hunt if you wanted food. I know that I can go to the store and buy meat if I need it, but I would MUCH RATHER harvest an deer because I enjoy the time spent in the woods and I enjoy the taste of it more than beef. I just don't see the point of making the hunters much so much. I know that it costs alot for the Game Commission to manage animals, but they havn't been getting the job done. It just doesn't seem like the logical thing to do.

Good Luck This Season: Buck Magnet
P.S. Only Chuck Adams can sit at home and see deer so get into the woods. =;^)

"Our only problem is with some of the wording in the bill. Right now it says the money 'may be' used by the Game Commission to fund education and research. We only want to see that changed to say 'shall be.'"

According to that article... the PAGC will send out "safety flyers" to those that apply for the turkey stamp. It might do some good... but you know [as well as I do] the slobs will say, "Yeah, right... I already knew that..." and discard the flyer.

Like you... I believe education is key to success and safety... but education via newsletters and the such aren't going to cut it.

Anyone who has ever seen or taught an NWTF "Young Jakes" program knows the value of a hands-on approach to education... especially when it comes to safety.

-DT

Edited by - PA DropTine on 01/14/2002 13:56:17

If the last substantial license increases didn't stop the idiots you see in the woods, you can't possible beleive that a five dollar turkey stamp is gone to stop them? If the PGC can justify where all the money goes from license sales, than maybe I"ll consider a stamp, but untill then, NO STAMP!!! There should be more than enough money for turkey programs as well as other wildlife programs from the last major increase in license fees.

DT Gotta tell you, the JAKES program is the greatest! My two sons wait all year for JAKES day. Does the PGC foot any of that bill? I was under the impression it was the NWTF and the NRA paying for it.

I agree with you guys as well. Being from NYS, I would like to see a two bird spring limit and being able to hunt on sundays as well in your state, then I wouldn't mind paying extra for a turkey permit. Until that happens, I would be against it!!

Edited by - maytom on 01/15/2002 07:15:03

They tried this about 15yrs or so back in PA. Some PGC officers came to our local chapter NWTF meeting and proposed the idea for a $10 spring turkey stamp. When asked if the money was going to fund turkey research and further the sport they said no, the money would go into their general fund.

Errrrrrrrt! Wrong answer. We would not give them our support...

Check into the program proposal before you cut throats or blindly back...I suppose that if the NWTF national is backing it they checked into it and should be able to give good reason to do so.