Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management Director Calvin W. DuBrock today reminded successful spring gobbler hunters to submit their harvest report card, as required by law.  If hunters can’t find one of the pre-addressed and postage paid harvest report cards that came with their license, they can use the harvest report card found on page 33 of the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations to report their kill.

A downloadable replacement harvest report card also has been posted on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) under the “Forms & Programs” section in the left-hand column, and “Big Game Harvest Report Card” in the “Forms” section.  Or, hunters can mail a postcard with their name; address; back tag number; date of harvest; WMU, county and township; and method of take (shotgun or bow for spring gobbler).  Cards can be mailed to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Big Game Harvest Report, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

DuBrock noted that reporting is mandatory for the 8,975 individuals who received one of the special spring gobbler hunting licenses, which provided holders the privilege to harvest a second spring gobbler, regardless of whether they took a second spring gobbler.  All special spring gobbler license holders should use the report card provided with the special license.

DuBrock encouraged any spring gobbler hunters who harvested a spring gobbler with a leg band to contact the toll-free telephone number listed on the band to report a harvest or recovery of the banded bird.  The Pennsylvania Game Commission, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Penn State University and National Band and Tag Co., along with wildlife officials in Ohio and New York, have joined forces to conduct a four-year study to estimate the harvest rates of spring gobblers in each of the three states.    

“Hunters who report their wild turkey or deer harvests are helping wildlife managers make more informed decisions when recommending seasons and bag limits and other conservation measures,” DuBrock said.  “If all hunters who harvested a turkey or deer would send in their harvest report card, as required by law, harvest estimates wouldn’t be necessary.”

The last day of the 2008 spring gobbler season was May 26.