If you enjoy the outdoors and wild things, you must get yourself in the turkey woods early in the morning during spring mating season.
When you hear your first gobble from a male turkey, you will be hooked. In the morning mist at the break of dawn, there is something chilling and mystical about this almost prehistoric vocalization. I know of no other sound in the Maine woods that is quite like it.
V. Paul Reynolds, Outdoors Columnist
In spring, when love is in the air, the Tom turkeys are single-minded, not unlike a rutting buck in late November.
Spring turkey-hunting tactics are quite straight-forward. The hunter, after scouting the turkey’s location and habitat, hunkers down against a big tree or in a blind alongside an open field. Sometimes, but not always, hen decoys are placed out in front of the hunter. If the Tom is within earshot or eyeshot, a few hen vocalizations from the hunter’s slate call will draw the attention of the long-bearded Lothario.
To close the deal, a hunter must “seduce” the Tom into shooting range. The mature birds can be very wary, so there are no guarantees. Often the male turkey, suspecting a setup, will “hang up” just out of shotgun range. At this point, patience and perseverance, along with well-timed and skilled hen vocalizations, will determine outcome.
This year, Maine’s wild turkey season begins May 1 and ends June 3 in all Wildlife Management Districts. Two bearded turkeys may be taken in WMDs 7 and 9-29. Only one bearded bird may be taken in WMDS 1-6 and 8.
Youth Day for turkeys is April 29. Youngsters can also take two birds in WMDs 7 and 9-29.
This year, for the first time, turkey hunters may self-register their birds online and avoid the trip to the tagging station and the fee.
Once self-registered, hunters will receive a seal number via email to confirm that the wild turkey was registered. The confirmation can be saved to the device or printed. There is no fee. Hunters will need the following information to self-register a turkey online:
• MOSES ID (found on your hunting license)
• Last name
• Date of birth
• Current hunting license
• Current turkey permit, if not included in license
• Current email address
The link to self-register a turkey online will be available at mefishwildlife.com/tagaturkey, beginning on youth day.
Maine turkey hunters must hold a small or big game license and a turkey permit, which is $20.
Shotguns, conventional bows and crossbows are permitted. Of course, bow and crossbow hunters must also have taken and passed the appropriate hunter safety courses for whatever hunting device they plan to employ.
Wild turkeys are a tough, tenacious bird, which may explain the unexpected proliferation and survival rate since they were first introduced to the state in 1977.
The robust turkey population keeps it interesting for the turkey hunter. Turkey hunting is therefore a natural starting point for any aspiring young hunter. And wild turkey meat — free of hormones and preservatives and properly field-handled and prepared in the kitchen — is excellent table fare.
Remember to hunt safely, practice muzzle discipline at all times and avoid wearing male turkey colors, red, white and blue.
V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal, an author, a Maine guide and host of a weekly radio program, “Maine Outdoors,” heard at 7 p.m. Sundays on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network. Contact him at vpaulr@tds.net.
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