PGC just added a last minute agenda item for the upcoming meeting of the BOC next week. They propose to eliminate the use for rifles in the fall turkey season. The interesting thing is their own data shows that only 14% of fall turkey hunters use rifles occasionally. Another interesting note is that the NWTF and PANWTF both oppose the use of rifles in the fall, and opposed their use even when turkey numbers were high. Some elitists in those orgs that feel that shotguns should be the only way to ethically take a turkey. This proposal wreaks of special interest and not resource driven even though the PGC is using the declining populations as the motive. With declining populations the turkey snobs can now sell this proposal as resource driven.
 
I sent my email in opposition of this proposal. 

Hunting fall turkey with a rifle is not my cup of tea. That being said, I don't begrudge those who wish to do so. 
 
PT2

According to the PGC's own data, eliminating rifles from fall turkey may reduce the harvest by 1800 birds. 1800 birds across the entire state. Since hunting mortality is far down the list for turkeys, this will do nothing other than taking opportunity away. 
 
The real reason for this proposal is the elitist turkey snobs within the NWTF and PANWTF who have long opposed rifles during fall seasons. The consider a shotgun and bow the only pure way to turkey hunt. They now have a few commissioner's ears and these commissioners have decided to make a run at making rifles illegal under the guise of resource first since turkey populations are down. 

 Safety has nothing to do with it? Just curious.  

got 4 2/34 inch turkey loads left cant find any more
 
Few years back had 7- took 3 birds since so figure its ok for a while lol

crappiefisher
 Safety has nothing to do with it? Just curious.  

 
Safety was not mentioned in the justification. As far as a I am aware, rifles in the fall turkey season do not seem to be any unsafer than shotguns according to hunting accident reports. 

r3g3
got 4 2/34 inch turkey loads left cant find any more

Finding turkey loads around here is tough!! Good thing is I mostly hunt shoot arrows these days. 

When finding 2/34 inch turkey rounds became tough- even before the present issues- I bought a box of 25 high brass long range pheasant  #5 loads-local gun dealer who hunts pheasant out in mid-west every year had them.
Havent used one yet but seemed a decent alternative.