AUGUSTA – Spring wild turkey hunting season is upon us with a significant change in the spring bag limit.
The regular season for spring wild turkey hunting opens on Monday, May 3, and ends on Saturday, June 5. This will be a full five-week season for all turkey permit holders.
A new regulation regarding the spring bag limit goes into effect this year. An initial permit for $20 will allow turkey hunters to take only one bearded wild turkey in the spring and a wild turkey of either sex in the fall. A second permit for $20 can be purchased anytime after the purchase of the first permit that would allow for the harvest of another bearded wild turkey in the spring only.
Youth Day will be held on Saturday, May 1. Kids ages 10-15 with a junior hunting license are allowed to hunt on this day with adult supervision. Youths will be allowed to take up to two (2) bearded wild turkeys during the spring season without any additional permit fees.
The Wildlife Management Districts open for spring wild turkey hunting are 7, 10-18 and 20-26.
Hunters must have a valid spring wild turkey permit and a valid Maine big game hunting license in order to hunt wild turkey. Licenses and permits are available at IF&W’s Augusta headquarters, at licensing agents statewide, and at www.mefishwildlife.com.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife urges hunters to review the following safety tips:
Ø Never try to stalk a gobbling turkey. Your chances of getting close are poor, and you may be sneaking up on another hunter.
Ø Avoid hunting the same gobbler as your hunting companion or other hunters. Pick a different area to hunt.
Ø Stick with hen calls. A gobbler call is intended for special situations and might attract other hunters.
Ø Don’t be patriotic. Avoid red, white or blue. A tom turkey’s head has similar colors.
Ø Avoid unnecessary movement. This could alert turkeys and attract hunters.
Ø Don’t hide so well that you impair your field of vision
Ø Wrap your turkey in some blaze orange cloth for the hike back to the car.
Ø Always sit with your back against a tree trunk, big log or a boulder that is wider than your body. This protects you from being accidentally struck by pellets fired from behind you.
Ø If you use a decoy, place it on the far side of a tree trunk or a rock so you can see the birds approaching from all directions, but cannot actually see the decoy. This prevents you from being directly in the line of fire should another hunter mistakenly shoot at your decoy.
Ø Never shoot unless you’re absolutely sure of your target. Since only turkeys with beards are legal during the spring season, lack of positive identification could result in shooting an illegal bird, or worse, another hunter.
Ø Consider wearing hunter orange while moving from set-up to set-up. Take it off when you are in position.
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