Turkey hunters set safety record in 2019
Pennsylvania turkey hunters are playing it safe. New information released by the state Game Commission shows that for the first time, no hunting-related shooting incidents occurred during any wild turkey hunting season in 2019.
The report on turkey season safety was part of annual analysis of the year’s hunter safety, released by the agency last week. The turkey statistics are notable because of the stealthy methods used in the hunts, particularly in the spring, and the many injuries that occurred while hunting the birds in decades past.
The 2020 spring gobbler season is currently underway.
“Hunting in Pennsylvania is as safe as it’s ever been,” said Bryan Burhans, Game Commission executive director. “Hunter safety has been at the forefront of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s thinking for decades upon decades, and through effective requirements and programs to educate our hunters, incredible improvements have been made over the years.
“But at the same time, we continue to work toward an even better safety record. Perfection is always the goal, and I couldn’t be more proud of the perfect performance our spring turkey hunters turned in last year.”
Hunting-related shooting incidents are physical injuries caused by sporting arms while a person is hunting or trapping. It includes archery gear and self-inflicted injuries. The numbers do not reflect incidents that occur while a hunter is not hunting, or medical emergencies not involving sporting arms such as falls or heart or breathing problems.
Throughout 2019, 26 such incidents occurred during other hunting seasons. Four were fatal. It was the seventh consecutive year with fewer than 30 hunting-related shooting incidents and one of the safest years on record.
The Game Commission report noted that in 58% of the incidents, the injury was inflicted by someone other than the victim. Most of the incidents, 42% of the total, were the result of a victim being in the line of fire.
To view the complete report, visit pgc.pa.gov and click the Hunting Related Shooting Incidents link on the Hunter-Trapper Education page.
Fish donated
Since 2017, Chatham University in Squirrel Hill has raised hundreds of rainbow trout and tilapia per year in tanks at its Eden Hall Aquaculture Center. Typically, after the fish are used for study the students eat them. But because of the COVID-related school closures, Chatham students can do neither.
Last week, the university began harvesting the fish to share as food and fertilizer. The tilapia, a freshwater fish commonly farmed for food, were donated to the Oasis Farm and Fishery to be used for food and to nourish vegetables grown to feed people in Homewood. Some of the trout were stocked in Thorn Run, Butler County, and the rest were donated to 412 Food Rescue, a nonprofit that redirects surplus food to people who are experiencing food insecurity.
Some ranges reopen
Game Commission-managed shooting ranges in northwest and northcentral Pennsylvania were to reopen Friday. Shooters must be in possession of a valid Pennsylvania hunting license or shooting range permit.
In counties such as Allegheny, where stay-at-home guidelines continue and large gatherings are prohibited, shooting ranges on state game lands remain closed.