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As Pennsylvania sportsmen get ready for the start of the Spring turkey hunting season, I wanted to spread the word about a great project here in Central PA...

Below are photos that were sent to me by my friend, Harold Daub, of Halifax. He and other members of the Lykens Valley Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation have been busy, building handicapped-accessible hunting platforms in the Weiser State Forest in Dauphin County.

The platforms, made of wood, and partially concealed by synthetic camouflage netting, sit along Luke's Trail. The trail, accessible by vehicle by from nearby White Oak Road in Jackson Township, is open to permitted disabled hunters.

The platforms are concealed well, and offer hunters a variety of shooting opportunities, into heavy woods and open fields.

In an email to CBS 21 News, NWTF member Harold Daub explains that the platform project was a team effort amongst state agencies, and corporate sponsors.

"Funding was received from TYCO Electronics, a matching grant from Wildlife Forever, and the National Wild Turkey Federation," saya Daub. "PA DCNR contributed the manpower, the location, and the heavy equipment to open the location. The PA Game Commission contributed manpower and equipment to prepare the site and to lime, fertilize, and seed the plot. The local Lykens Valley NWTF Chapter provided manpower for construction of the platforms and the creation of the parking areas and stoned walkways."

The two-year-long project was started in May 2007 with the excavation of the site. A sign recognizing the project partners was completed and erected earlier this month.

On the sign, hunters will notice a dedication to a fellow sportsman, Jerry Zimmerman.  Zimmerman, originally from Linglestown, was the Senior Director of the NWTF, and was instrumental in the formation of the Lykens Valley Chapter.  He died as a result of an automobile accident in June 2005, according to Daub.

The group is hoping to construct more platforms in an adjacent portion of State Game Lands, with the cooperation of the PA Game Commission. Funding for future projects is still being secured.