Anyone who teaches the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s hunter-trapper education course soon learns the influence outdoors television programs focusing on spring gobbler hunting can have when it comes to teaching calling and hunting techniques.
Unfortunately, few of these programs come with a disclaimer about some of the tactics being shown may not be legal in all states. One of the most popular of these that makes for great TV viewing shows turkey hunters using the technique referred to as “fanning” or “reaping.”
This hunting method allows hunters to stalk into range of spring gobblers. Stalking itself is illegal in Pennsylvania.
Several products that are promoted by the turkey hunting industry have hit the market. They include decoys on sticks designed to be more comfortably held in front of a stalking hunter, devices that attach to a gun barrel and hold a real turkey fan and umbrellas with high-definition turkey photos emblazoned on them that are held out in front of the stalking hunter.
Videos make the technique appear all but foolproof, and sales of these items at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg this February were very strong. These aids are for the technique of “fanning,” which is legal in many Western states. However, the tactic is both illegal — and dangerous — in Pennsylvania, where hunting spring gobbler is legally defined by PGC regulations as “by calling only.”
According to the PGC, both the technique of “fanning,” or stalking, is illegal, as is the stationary use of one of these products because they would constitute a blind. Using any product made of man-made material as a blind — as opposed to using natural cover, such as a deadfall or brush — must be constructed to fully enclose its occupants to prevent the detection of movement from the outside.
Using blinds has become more popular in Pennsylvania, especially by those who are mentoring an inexperienced or youth hunter because they are forgiving in covering movement. Pop-up “tent” blinds provide the necessary concealment required by PGC regulations, and turkeys are usually not wary of them, allowing hunters to erect and use them immediately.
As tempting as it may be to try “fanning,” hunters run a real risk using these illegal devices in Pennsylvania because of the high hunting pressure and exposing themselves to the risk of being injured in “mistaken-for-game” hunting accidents. Instead, hunters shown hone their calling skills, learn the effective use of decoys and practice safe turkey hunting tactics.
In addition to stalking being illegal, it is also ineffective because there is no way a hunter closing the distance on a gobbler is going to go undetected. This is where patience comes into play, and hunters should set up in open areas that turkeys prefer and use a tree, stump or rock higher than their head and wider than their shoulders at their back.
Another important safety rule is to predetermine a safe zone of fire and not shoot outside of that predetermined area. Hunters should avoid swinging and firing at turkeys in their peripheral vision.
With the many brands of quality and effective camouflage clothing available today, concealment has never been easier for turkey hunters. When quality camo is combined with even modest calling skills and the option to use decoys, there is no need to ever consider the dangerous act of “fanning” in the Pennsylvania turkey woods.
Hunters can find a complete review of regulations pertaining to hunting spring gobbler in Pennsylvania beginning on Page 32 of the current “Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest” that is issued with each license. It is also advised that hunters who are traveling out of state review the laws and regulations for their destination because some states have different regulations for different zones, meaning “fanning” may be legal in one area, but not in another.