3 Pennsylvania Hunters shot in separate incidents

[Happy]

Unfortunately, being successful is determined by killing a turkey, and most will abandon commence sense and sometimes legalities to make that happen. I have had at least 5-6 gobblers shot out from under me by guys stalking in and popping them with rifles. Function over form. Be careful, gents. Ain't no turkey worth your life.

[Tom007]

Unfortunately I have no sympathy for a hunter shooting a human being mistaken them for a turkey. They should serve jail time, pay tremendous fines for injuries, and never hunt and FISH  in any state in the United States for life. I'm sorry, but these occurrences are not accidents, they are belligerent ignorance of game laws and total disregard for hunter safety and human life. This is my opinion here as an ex-hunter Ed instructor for over 15 years. We made it very clear that hunting is a privilege, and that safety is paramount when going afield. We imprinted "Know your target and beyond" in our students brain, hoping incidents like these would never happen. God bless these victims and their families. Be safe...

[Yoder409]

The PA regulation states "No Stalking. Hunting by calling only."

Save your time.

At one time, I believe I posted a screenshot of the actual wording and section, etc straight from the PA code book.

Ain't doing it again.  Too many lawyers trying to armchair interpret what is brutally plain language.

[mikejd]

I did not watch or read but I think anyone who accidentally shoots someone unless that person was off in the distance and gets hit by shot should be locked up. I bet if a few dozen people got 5 years this problem would be solved. This is no way no how an accident. People do not look like anything we can legally hunt.

[Yoder409]

I bet if a few dozen people got 5 years this problem would be solved.

TOTALLY agreed !!!

The only way to modify bad behavior is to make the price of said behavior higher than folks are willing to pay.

Some old saying about killing a fly with a sledgehammer ain't so much about the fly you're killing as it is about the flies that are watching.

[Zobo]

There is no way anyone who mistakes a person for a bird should ever be able to hunt again. Or even fish for that matter. $300 fine, are you kidding me?

[Cowboy]

Unfortunately I have no sympathy for a hunter shooting a human being mistaken them for a turkey. They should serve jail time, pay tremendous fines for injuries, and never hunt and FISH  in any state in the United States for life. I'm sorry, but these occurrences are not accidents, they are belligerent ignorance of game laws and total disregard for hunter safety and human life. This is my opinion here as an ex-hunter Ed instructor for over 15 years. We made it very clear that hunting is a privilege, and that safety is paramount when going afield. We imprinted "Know your target and beyond" in our students brain, hoping incidents like these would never happen. God bless these victims and their families. Be safe...

Yes. I agree !

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[Yoder409]

There is no way anyone who mistakes a person for a bird should ever be able to hunt again. Or even fish for that matter. $300 fine, are you kidding me?

Welcome to PA.   

$300 is the fine for littering, here.

So shooting a man = tossing a burger wrapper out the car window.

Can't make this stuff up.

[Number17]

The PA regulation states "No Stalking. Hunting by calling only."

Save your time.

At one time, I believe I posted a screenshot of the actual wording and section, etc straight from the PA code book.

Ain't doing it again.  Too many lawyers trying to armchair interpret what is brutally plain language.

The Pennsylvania game commission would disagree with you. In the May 2025 edition of the Pennsylvania Game News there was an article that clearly spelled out what is legal and what is not during spring gobbler season.
You absolutely do not have to call or have a call with you at any time. Sitting in a location silently and waiting for a turkey to walk by is 100% legal. "Bushwhacking" if you will.

[Gman]

The PA regulation states "No Stalking. Hunting by calling only."

Save your time.

At one time, I believe I posted a screenshot of the actual wording and section, etc straight from the PA code book.

Ain't doing it again.  Too many lawyers trying to armchair interpret what is brutally plain language.

The Pennsylvania game commission would disagree with you. In the May 2025 edition of the Pennsylvania Game News there was an article that clearly spelled out what is legal and what is not during spring gobbler season.
You absolutely do not have to call or have a call with you at any time. Sitting in a location silently and waiting for a turkey to walk by is 100% legal. "Bushwhacking" if you will.

Page 35 of the PGC Hunting and Trapping Digest (July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025) states, NO STALKING Hunting by calling only.

Just sayin'.

[Number17]

Like I said, it's been clarified by the PGC that you do not have to call in order to be legal, so that part has been taken care of.
As for what is stalking and what is not.....that will always be discretionary to an outside observer watching you and whatever bias they might have.
I agree with you. There have been many times I've made an effort to make a huge loop to get around where I figured birds were headed. Sometimes I barely beat them there and they simply walk into you silently moments after you find a good tree. If they are coming, shut up. That's turkey hunting 101.
100% legal to kill a bird like that in the State of Pa.

[Neill_Prater]

It's called complacency.  If you aren't comfortable with what you are doing, you pay attention. When you get to the point where you are operating on auto pilot much of the time, it's easier than one thinks to goof up. That's why most,  for example, treestand accident victims are experienced hunters rather than newbies. The "can't happen to me" syndrome.

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[Yoder409]

Like I said, it's been clarified by the PGC that you do not have to call in order to be legal, so that part has been taken care of.

Could you please post the source of the clarification ??

It would seem....to look at the rules digest that comes with your license and to look at the state code.... the PGC hasn't gottem that memo yet.

Very interested to read the official, published clarification.

[Number17]

pg 62 Pennsylvania Game News May 2025.

Side bar. Clarification by Jason Raup, PAGC on "By calling only"

I could post a picture but I always struggle to get a picture on this website.

[Number17]

I'll let you two fight it out.  Attempted to bring up the PA Game News May 2025.  Apparently one of those sites you can't read unless a subscriber. Interesting but not that interesting.

Text me: 5 seven zero for fore won four sicks 5 five.
I'll send you some pics.