You Can Now Hunt Turkeys With Dogs

DOGS ALLOWED IN FALL TURKEY SEASON

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds hunters that a new state law permits wild turkey hunters to use dogs in the upcoming fall season, which begins Oct. 27.



On June 30, Gov. Edward Rendell signed Senate Bill 580, which made it lawful to use a dog "to pursue, chase, scatter and track wild turkeys during the fall wild turkey season." Before the Governor signed this legislation, hunters were prohibited from using dogs to hunt any big game animal, which includes wild turkeys.



This change of law does not appear in the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest because the agency has a deadline of mid-April for material to be included in the annual Digest so that it can be printed and ready for distribution to license issuing agents in mid-June. Consequently, the agency is attempting to reach hunters with information about this new law through news releases and its website, as well as updates provided by Wildlife Conservation Officers to local hunting and sportsmen's organizations.



The change in law was contained in Senate Bill 580, sponsored by state Sen. Roger A. Madigan, which passed the Senate by a vote of 48-1 on May 1. On June 26, the bill was approved by a vote of 187-14 in the House of Representatives before being sent to the Governor's desk.

wow, never thought id see that in pa.

Jeremy,
 
While this is new to PA, it is a preferred method for fall birds in the south.  There is actually a pretty hot market for turkey dogs, which are essentially washed out pointers that chase birds rather than point them.  The dogs are used to rush into and break up a flock, then the dog is placed in a  camo bag while the scattered birds are called back in.

As if it's not already not bad enough having other hunters stalk you in the fall while you're calling in a busted up flock.  Now you'll have to worry about Cujo too. 
 
Actually have seen a few guys doing this when I lived in North Carolina.  Pretty effective way to cover a lot of ground & bust up flocks, if that's how you roll in fall turkey season.