HARRISBURG – Beginning Jan. 1, Pennsylvania hunters who would like the opportunity to harvest a second spring gobbler may apply for a second spring gobbler license, according to Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.

Roe stressed that hunters are able to take one spring gobbler as part of their general hunting privileges. However, the special license affords those hunters interested in this additional opportunity to take a second spring gobbler. Hunters may only submit one application for the special wild turkey license during a license year.

Applications for the second spring gobbler license are available on page 38 of the 2008-09 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which is provided to each license buyer, or by going to the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), and clicking on “Spring Turkey Tag App.” in the center of the homepage.

Hunters also may submit applications over-the-counter at any of the Game Commission’s six region offices or Harrisburg headquarters, however, licenses will be printed and mailed later.

Fees set by state law for the special license are $21 for residents and $41 for nonresidents. Mailed applications for special wild turkey licenses must be sent to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Special Spring Gobbler License, P.O. Box 61317, Harrisburg, PA 17106-1317.

The application period closes on April 1, so that all applications can be processed and licenses mailed to hunters in time for the spring gobbler season, which is set for April 25-May 25.

According to Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist, research has shown that properly timed and implemented multiple-bird spring limits have not caused population declines in other states.

“This will be the fourth year of providing this additional harvest opportunity,” Casalena said. “During the first three years, an average of 8,140 hunters purchased a second tag each year, with an average of 1,638 additional bearded turkeys harvested each year, accounting for about four percent of the overall harvest each year. Hunter success rate for this second tag has averaged 20 percent during the three years.”