Pennsylvania Game News - May 2018 - 12

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ing toms, indiscriminately shoot hens
and destroy nests," Wunz wrote. "They
simply cannot understand why the Game
Commission would jeopardize the turkey
population it worked so hard for so many
years to build."
But Pennsylvania's turkey population was growing. The state's minimum
fall population of 60,000 turkeys and

overwintering flock of 30,000 ranked
among the largest in the nation in the
mid-1960s.
If states with lesser populations could
hold seasons without harming turkey
reproduction or populations, it stood to
reason Pennsylvania could, as well.
And while biologists knew turkeys
were being harvested close to their allow-

Cover Painting by bob SoPChiCk
A limited number of signed reproductions
of this month's cover, "Spring Gobbler Classics
- 1968" are available from artist Bob Sopchick.
Specially printed on a rigid panel that
requires no matting or glass, the 24- by
32-inch work sells for $165, shipping included,
and can be ordered from Bob Sopchick at
200 Wynwood Road, York, PA 17402. Those
seeking more information can email Bob at
sopchickstudios@msn.com.
Bob designed this cover for Game News to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of spring
gobbler season in Pennsylvania. It also appears
on the previous page.
Many of the depicted objects are his own.
Below, he identifies them and provides a
glimpse of the inspiration behind this fine
piece.
"This design is what's called an assemblage,
created by using original painted art, computergenerated images, photography and various
3-D elements.
"It's the most diverse mixed-media illustration I've ever done.
"The wood background is from a Pennsylvania barn built around the time of the Civil War.
"The landmark book, The Complete Book
of the Wild Turkey, shown just below the shelf,
was written in 1956 by Roger Latham, a pioneer
of wild-turkey research for the Game Commission. The book was illustrated by Latham's
friend, Ned Smith. I thought this book should be
included in the composition as it helped many
hunters understand not only the general field
biology of wild turkeys, but that the wild turkey
is a remarkable game animal, deserving of our
best conservation efforts.
"Latham later started the Penn's Woods
12

Call Company, which manufactured the Roger
Latham True Tone box call that appears on the
shelf. The printed turkey on the side of the call
is the same image as on the cover of the book,
only flipped.
"Unlike today, it was difficult even to find
turkey calls for sale in 1968. In that first season,
the only calls I could find were a P.S. Olt scratch
box, and a small peg and slate call. Olt also
brought out a turkey crank call, which I used
in a subsequent season.
"I already had the Olt crow call, which I still
use, and an old trumpet yelper.
"Early diaphragm calls were made of lead -
an unsuitable material for a mouth call!
"Back in 1968, turkey hunters generally
used whatever shotgun they used for small
game. Pictured is my Winchester Model 12
16-gauge, along with Western Super-X highbrass pheasant loads - a far cry from the
specialized magnum, custom-choked turkey
guns and ammo available today.
"Army and Navy stores carried military
camo, but many hunters just wore dull-colored
clothes. I painted leaves, bark and branches
on a set of old work clothes long before any
commercial designs became available.
"Also on the cover are an original sepia
illustration I painted previously and the newly
designed 50th anniversary spring turkey hunting commemorative patch available from the
Game Commission.
"I recall the May 6, 1968 opener well. It
was foggy and drizzly on the mountaintop I
hunted, but I did manage to get a response
from a gobbler roosting nearby. Unfortunately,
my scratch box call got too damp to use, but
I've been hooked ever since."

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Pennsylvania Game News - May 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - May 2018
