Post by Woody Williams on May 30, 2006 15:33:42 GMT -5
Members of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National
Wild Turkey Federation believe that raising hunting
safety awareness and expanding hunter education
efforts is more important than increasing the amount
of orange in the turkey woods.
In June 2003, the Pennsylvania Game Commission
proposed that fall hunters statewide must wear at
least 250 square inches of hunter orange (ex. a vest
that covers your back and chest and velcros or ties in
the front) at all times. Spring hunters are required
to wear solid orange hats while moving, whether it's
to and from your vehicle or getting a better setup on
your game.
Below is a study that has information on hunting
related shooting incidents in Pennsylvania and other
notable hunting states while spring turkey hunting.
Spring 2002 (Incidents per 100,000 hunters):
* Texas< >5.4
* Virginia < >4.9
* Pennsylvania< >3.9
* Wisconsin < >3.8
* Michigan< >2.0
Spring 2003 (Incidents per 100,000 hunters):
* Pennsylvania< >4.3
* Virginia < >3.3
* Texas< >2.0
* Michigan< >2.0
* Wisconsin< >0.0
The national average for spring turkey hunting
related shooting incidents is 2.95 incidents per
100,000 turkey hunters.
This information suggests that the mandatory use
of hunter orange by spring turkey hunters in
Pennsylvania does not decrease the number of shooting
incidents compared to other states where orange is not
required. In fact, the numbers clearly show that
Pennsylvania's numbers are higher than the national
average.
Below is a study about hunting related shooting
incidents in Pennsylvania and other notable hunting
states while fall turkey hunting. Information has not
been acquired for all of the states previously
mentioned.
Fall 2002 (Incidents per 100,000 hunters):
o Pennsylvania< >6.25
o Texas< >2.7
o Wisconsin < >2.7
Based on this information, the requirement of
orange for fall turkey hunters in Pennsylvania has not
resulted in a wider margin of safety compared to other
states where orange is not required of fall turkey
hunters.
The Pennsylvania Chapter believes that the
reduction of turkey hunting related shooting incidents
is dependent on reaching hunters with important safety
messages. This approach will be more effective to
turkey hunters than placing additional regulatory
burdens on them. Turkey hunters know that wild turkeys
can perceive color and that wearing or displaying
orange while moving or hunting will significantly
reduce their chances for success. At the same time,
the hunters are mindful that safety is an important
issue.
Source:
www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=10115
also read
www.panwtf.com/PA%20Chapter%20News%20Release%202003%20Orange.htm
Wild Turkey Federation believe that raising hunting
safety awareness and expanding hunter education
efforts is more important than increasing the amount
of orange in the turkey woods.
In June 2003, the Pennsylvania Game Commission
proposed that fall hunters statewide must wear at
least 250 square inches of hunter orange (ex. a vest
that covers your back and chest and velcros or ties in
the front) at all times. Spring hunters are required
to wear solid orange hats while moving, whether it's
to and from your vehicle or getting a better setup on
your game.
Below is a study that has information on hunting
related shooting incidents in Pennsylvania and other
notable hunting states while spring turkey hunting.
Spring 2002 (Incidents per 100,000 hunters):
* Texas< >5.4
* Virginia < >4.9
* Pennsylvania< >3.9
* Wisconsin < >3.8
* Michigan< >2.0
Spring 2003 (Incidents per 100,000 hunters):
* Pennsylvania< >4.3
* Virginia < >3.3
* Texas< >2.0
* Michigan< >2.0
* Wisconsin< >0.0
The national average for spring turkey hunting
related shooting incidents is 2.95 incidents per
100,000 turkey hunters.
This information suggests that the mandatory use
of hunter orange by spring turkey hunters in
Pennsylvania does not decrease the number of shooting
incidents compared to other states where orange is not
required. In fact, the numbers clearly show that
Pennsylvania's numbers are higher than the national
average.
Below is a study about hunting related shooting
incidents in Pennsylvania and other notable hunting
states while fall turkey hunting. Information has not
been acquired for all of the states previously
mentioned.
Fall 2002 (Incidents per 100,000 hunters):
o Pennsylvania< >6.25
o Texas< >2.7
o Wisconsin < >2.7
Based on this information, the requirement of
orange for fall turkey hunters in Pennsylvania has not
resulted in a wider margin of safety compared to other
states where orange is not required of fall turkey
hunters.
The Pennsylvania Chapter believes that the
reduction of turkey hunting related shooting incidents
is dependent on reaching hunters with important safety
messages. This approach will be more effective to
turkey hunters than placing additional regulatory
burdens on them. Turkey hunters know that wild turkeys
can perceive color and that wearing or displaying
orange while moving or hunting will significantly
reduce their chances for success. At the same time,
the hunters are mindful that safety is an important
issue.
Source:
www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=10115
also read
www.panwtf.com/PA%20Chapter%20News%20Release%202003%20Orange.htm
