Change in Orange Requirement Takes Effect; Board of Game Commissioners to Meet On...

Change in Orange Requirement Takes Effect; Board of Game Commissioners to Meet
On April 21-22

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following publication in
the March 29 edition of the PA Bulletin, Pennsylvania Game Commission
officials today announced that hunters planning to participate in the upcoming
spring gobbler season will no longer be required to wear fluorescent orange.

On Jan. 29, the Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a
regulatory change to remove the fluorescent orange requirements for the spring
gobbler hunters. Publication in the PA Bulletin was the final step required
for the change to take effect, and applies for the upcoming 2008 spring
gobbler season, which is set for April 26-May 26, as well as the youth spring
gobbler day on April 19.

"Various members of Pennsylvania's hunting community for some time have urged
the Game Commission to reevaluate its regulatory mandate for turkey hunters
wear at least 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange-colored material
on the head while moving about or relocating during the spring turkey season,"
said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. "The safety of hunters afield
is, without a doubt, one of the paramount concerns of the Game Commission.
But, the available statistical data relating to hunting-related shooting
incidents during the spring turkey season shows that there is no clear
evidence that the fluorescent orange requirement has made any appreciable
reduction in spring gobbler hunting-related shooting incidents.

"After a thorough review, the Game Commission concluded eliminating the orange
requirement for spring turkey hunting was acceptable. However, if we see a
change in the number of hunting-related shooting incidents, this policy will
be re-evaluated."

BOARD OF GAME COMMISSIONERS TO MEET ON APRIL 21-22

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will be meeting on Monday and
Tuesday, April 21-22, at the agency's Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton
Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81. The meetings will
begin at 8:30 a.m. on both days.

On Monday, April 21, the Board will hear public comments on the proposed
2008-09 hunting and furtaking seasons and bag limits that were given
preliminary approval in January. The Board also will receive agency staff
reports and updates.

On Tuesday, April 22, the Board is scheduled to take official action to
finalize the 2008-09 hunting and furtaking seasons and bag limits, and to set
antlerless deer license allocations for the upcoming seasons.

A complete agenda for the meeting will be posted on the agency's website
(http://www.pgc.state.pa.us) prior to the meeting. Minutes from the January
meeting are available in the "Reports/Minutes" section of the homepage.

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases
via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and
the name of the organization you represent to: PGCNews@state.pa.us

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission

Jerry Feaser of Pennsylvania Game Commission, +1-717-705-6541,
PGCNews@state.pa.us