Pennsylvania’s turkey population has been in steady decline since 2017, yet state wildlife officials have done little to address the problem. Critics argue that simple solutions, like trap-and-transfer programs, were never implemented, leading to what they call a “decade of inaction.”

A Pennsylvania House committee has advanced House Bill 2554 by a slim 14-12 margin, setting the stage for a nationwide hiring process for the state’s top wildlife officials. The measure aims to increase transparency and expand the candidate pool for these critical roles.