I was hunting with a group on Pennsylvania coal lands when we came upon a posted area. According to the signs, hunting was allowed, but "No Doe Hunting."

In areas where the deer population is healthy and thriving, that's "old school" thinking. I knew from my association with hunters in Pennsylvania, and in other states as well, that many hunters held it as a matter of pride that they would not harvest a doe.I knew that no amount of arguments or statistics would sway that way of thinking.Except for areas where the deer population is severely depressed, the harvest of does is part of quality deer management.I wondered - did the same ideas apply to turkey hunting? I love fall turkey hunting, and in Pennsylvania both gobblers and hens can be harvested in the fall. And I wouldn't hesitate to take either, and would take no shame in harvesting a hen.The biological science supporting the season is similar to that supporting the taking of does.In some areas of the country, where the turkey population is below the carrying capacity, hens may not be harvested. Here are some turkey population facts that biologist rely on to determine whether or not to add the hen option to a season:• Fifty percent of turkey nests fail.• In young turkeys, the ratio of jakes to jennies is 50-50.• In an expanding turkey population, the ratio of young birds to old is greater.• Adult hens are more successful in raising offspring.• Fall season turkey harvests are termed "compensatory." That means, there will be a predictable mortality to the over-wintering population, and mortality due to hunting does not add to that.• Mortality of young poults is greatest during the first two weeks of their life, when they must remain on the ground because they can't fly well enough to roost.• Biologists keep tabs on populations using winter flock surveys and reported harvest numbers.• Long-term biological data shows that most turkey populations undergo continuous and rapid turnover.Pennsylvania is in the midst of a study (launched in 2010) on female turkey harvest rates, including information such as the season length and the age of the harvested turkeys.Data is being gathered by biologists doing surveys in the field, and also from hunter harvest reports.Pennsylvania recently implemented an electronic license system, and when they buy a license hunters are asked, "Did you hunt turkeys last year? Were you successful?"The study is funded by Pittman-Robertson Funds and the National Wild Turkey Federation. A full report should be ready soon.In the meantime, don't be shy about shooting a hen. Across the country, biologists have determined that 15 percent of the hens in a healthy population can be taken without affecting the turkey population in succeeding years. If your state allows hen harvest, know that the decision is backed by sound science.During the Pennsylvania fall turkey season, hunters may take a bearded or unbearded bird. The fall season is closed in WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D. Check your Hunting and Trapping Digest because season lengths vary by WMU.