Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August - 41

On harvest day, the turtles are humanely dispatched in
similar fashion to that of a chicken, and choice cuts of meat
are removed from the legs, neck and tail. It is best to handle
Snapping Turtles by the tail. Remove the head and sharp
claws first, because these body parts are still capable of
causing injury hours after harvest.
To make a delicious white chowder-style soup, Krause
says to trim away all the fat, submerge the meat in a large
pot of water, and cook it in the oven at 400 degrees F for
four hours, or in a slow cooker until the meat falls off the
bone. Strain and reserve the broth, then cool the meat
before running it through a hand grinder. Later, add the
cooked, ground meat to the broth, as well as chopped
potatoes, onion, celery, hard-boiled eggs, butter, parsley,
salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until tender. After
cooking, finish the soup with a little milk until it reaches a
desired consistency.
As with all amphibians and reptiles, Snapping Turtles are
regulated by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
As mentioned earlier, a valid fishing license is required to
harvest Snapping Turtles for personal use.
A Resident Commercial Snapping Turtle Permit ($60.00
plus transaction fee) is required, in addition to a fishing
license, for qualified residents who wish to sell, barter, or
trade Snapping Turtles or Snapping Turtle parts. This permit
must be possessed at all times while hunting for turtles.
Snapping turtles are a unique game species that can be
enjoyed late summer through early fall. If you are up for a rare
challenge, consider giving snapping turtle trapping a try.

Snapping turtle seasons and limits
Season
Daily Limit
July 1 through October 31 15

Possession Limit
30

A permit is required to hunt, take, catch or kill common
Snapping Turtles for the purpose of sale, barter or trade.
The Resident Commercial Snapping Turtle Permit
costs $60.00 plus transaction fee, and is issued in addition
to a fishing license to qualified residents who wish to sell,
barter, or trade Snapping Turtles or Snapping Turtle parts.
This permit must be possessed at all times while hunting
for turtles.
* A fishing license is required to catch or take
reptiles and amphibians from the lands and waters
of the Commonwealth.
* Unless otherwise indicated, reptiles and
amphibians may only be taken by hand, hook,
snake tongs, turtle hooks, traps and nets less than
4 feet square or 4 feet in diameter.
* It is unlawful to take, catch or kill a reptile or
amphibian through the use of firearms, chemicals,
explosives, winches, jacks or other devices.
* It is unlawful to damage or disrupt the nest or
eggs of a reptile or to gather, take or possess the
eggs of any reptile in the natural environment of
this Commonwealth.
* It is unlawful to damage or destroy habitat in the
pursuit of a reptile or amphibian.
* It is unlawful to take, catch, kill or possess for the
purposes of selling or offering for sale, importing or
exporting for consideration, trading or bartering or
purchasing an amphibian or reptile whether dead
or alive, in whole or in parts, including the eggs or
any life stage that was taken from lands or waters
within this Commonwealth.
* It is unlawful to transport or import into or within
this Commonwealth a native species from another
jurisdiction. It is also unlawful to receive a native
species that was transported or imported into or
within this Commonwealth from another jurisdiction.
* Taking, catching and possessing amphibians
and reptiles in Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources natural areas designated by
posters is prohibited.

Turtles

Using live traps allows for the safe release of juvenile turtles and
non-target species.
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* Set-lines, turtle traps or other devices for catching
turtles must include a tag indicating the name,
address and phone number of the owner or user.
Traps, nets or other devices must be of a floating
or partially submerged design so as to allow for
the release of untargeted turtles. Hooks must be
at least 31/2 inches long with not less than 1-inch
space between the point and shank of the hook. The
number of lines or hooks per line is unlimited.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2019

41
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August

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