Wild Turkey forecast: Spring 2007
For the third year in a row, spring 2006 was cold, wet and long. Unfortunately for wild turkeys, these unpleasant conditions equal poor reproductive success and can also influence turkey hunter success. In spring 2006, 20,089 hunters harvested 5,931 turkeys in Maine. Down from 6,235 wild turkeys registered in 2005. The decline in turkey harvest in 2006 was likely caused by poor nesting conditions and was also reflected in a lower than normal age ratio of only 1 jake (one year old males) for every 3 toms (adult males) harvested.

Reports from the new volunteer August wild turkey sighting report indicated a large number of hens with no or very small poults in 2006. It seems that the long, cold and wet spring resulted in fewer than normal wild turkeys produced last year. However, while the number of jakes may be limited this spring, survival of large-mature toms is nearly 100% over-winter and turkey hunters will still be graced with many thrilling gobbles, plenty of exciting hunts, and hopefully the opportunity to harvest their Maine longbeard.

The spring 2007 wild turkey season-at-a-glance

For the third year, permits will be unlimited in spring 2007. The 2007 spring season framework is:

• Hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise until 12:00 pm (noon).
• Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) open to hunting: 7, 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26*
  (* Note that WMD 7 has been added for Spring 2007)
• Unlimited permits allocated: permits divided evenly between A & B seasons by year of birth (odd year - A Season, even year - B season)
• Youth Day: April 28, 2006 (open to all permit holders age 10-15)
• Season A: Week #1: April 30, 2007 through May 5, 2007 and Week #4: May 21, 2007 through May 26, 2007
• Season B: Week #2: May 7, 2007 through May 12, 2007 and Week #3: May 14, 2007 through May 19, 2007
• All Permit Holders: Week #5: May 28, 2007 through June 2, 2007
• Limit: One Bearded turkey per permit holder.

Remember, with more turkey permit holders heading to the woods and fields of Maine to hunt wild turkeys each year, safety must continue to be priority one. Remember to always positively identify your target and never stalk a turkey. Call like a hen, be patient and your Maine longbeard will hopefully show himself. Always exercise safe hunting practices and best of luck bagging your spring longbeard!

How to be a turkey enthusiast year-round: TRACK THE HATCH

If you're like me you've had some years in the turkey woods when the gobblers seem as common as the black flies. What great years those are! Unfortunately, we've all seen the other end of the spectrum as well, the days of listening, hours in the blind, the years when the woods go quite…not only did you not bag a bird that year, but also you hardly heard a gobble.

The wild turkey, now you seem them, now you don't. We've all been there.
So why do some areas that are hot spots seemingly dry-up overnight?
The answer lies primarily with the hatch. Annual productivity of wild turkeys is highly variable. Research that was funded by members of NWTF through the Hunting Heritage Super Fund has helped answer some questions regarding the hatch. Research conducted in Central New York essentially confirmed the wet-hen theory. What the research found was that wild turkey production was tied to spring and early summer weather conditions. Cold and wet weather during the nesting season and shortly after hatching can have negative implications for nest success and poult survival. While deep powdery snow for extended periods of time can result in some winter mortality of turkeys, spring and summer weather appear to have a greater impact on turkey populations from year to year.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) recognizes the importance of the hatch. Starting in Summer 2006, IFW asked their staff and volunteers to record observations during the month of August in an effort to track the hatch. Those interested in keeping track of turkey observations only need to write down the number of gobblers, hens and poults, as well as, the size of the poults they observe during August. Only complete counts of turkey flocks should be submitted so that averages can be used to describe how many poults per hen were observed. Counts of only portions of a flock would compromise the results. It is also important to include flocks that have no poults as this indicates the number of hens that failed to raise any poults. Results will be compiled annually on a statewide and regional basis to allow wildlife biologists to look at trends in production and how the hatch differs from region to region.

Because this information provides a snapshot of the hatch and is not a complete count, or census, of all turkeys in Maine during August, managers consider the survey as an index to the state's wild turkey population. An index is of greater value when several years of data are collected. Multiple years of data allows for comparisons to be made on a statewide and regional level so that trends can be detected. Out of all the information summarized from the August Turkey Sighting Report, the number of poults per hen is the essential statistic. This number includes hens that were unsuccessful at raising poults, either because they did not attempt to nest at all, lost their nest to predation or the poults did not survive to the time the survey was conducted. It is important to incorporate these unsuccessful hens into the poults per hen number because if we had a year with very poor turkey production and we only looked at how many poults per successful hen were observed, we might be fooled by the number and think all is well. Combining both successful and unsuccessful hens into the poults per hen number allows us to see the big picture. Also important is the size of poults observed. Early hatched poults could be ¾ grown by August, while late hatching birds would be about ¼ grown. During winters that are harsh, poults only ¼ grown in August have a lower chance of survival and recruitment into the harvestable Spring population. Therefore, it is not only important to understand how many poults per hen were produced, but approximately how old they are as well.

Although wild turkeys still have room to expand into other areas of Maine, we now have a healthy, harvestable population in many areas. Now it is time to monitor that population more closely in an attempt to fine-tune wild turkey management in Maine. Your participation in this survey will help us monitor the year-to-year variation in productivity to better manage Maine's wild turkey population and help ensure the existence of the this grand bird for future generations of Maine hunters.

Instructions and data sheets for the August Turkey Brood Survey can be found at www.mainenwtf.org. and www.mefishwildlife.com.

Turkey Season Nears, Youth Turkey Hunting Day is April 28

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine's turkey hunting season opens on April 30, and hunters can purchase their permit to hunt wild turkey through a license agent or online at www.mefishwildlife.com.

"The restoration of the Wild Turkey in Maine is an amazing success," said Roland D. Martin, Commissioner, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. "Turkeys are now found in every county in the State."

Maine's wild turkey season is split into two seasons over a five-week period. For the 2007 Spring Turkey hunt, hunters with "odd" birth years (years ending in 1,3,5,7,or 9) will be authorized to hunt during Season A. Hunters with "even" birth years (years ending in 0,2,4,6,or 8) hunters with will be authorized to hunt during Season B.

Season A includes the first, fourth and fifth week of the season. Season B includes the second, third and fifth week of the season. The dates for season A are April 30, 2007 through May 5, 2007, May 21 through May 26, 2007 and May 28, 2007 through June 2, 2007. Season B runs from May 7, 2007 through May 12, 2007, May 14, 2007 through May 19, 2007, and May 28 through June 2, 2007.

Turkey hunting is open in Wildlife Management Zones 7 (new this year), 10-18, and 20-26. Hunters may take one bearded turkey. Only shotgun gauges 10-20 using shot sizes 4-6 (size 2 no longer legal), or bow and arrow may be used to hunt spring turkeys. Electronic calling devices are legal. Hunters may hunt one half hour prior to sunrise until 12:00 p.m. local time.

Once again this year, junior hunters who are interested in turkey hunting get their own day on April 28 before the regular season starts. Hunters who are 10 years of age or older and under 16 years of age and possess a junior hunting license and a Spring Turkey Permit may hunt under the supervision of an adult on April 28, 2007. New this year, Youth Hunters may also hunt on any Saturday of the turkey season, regardless of their birth year.

Junior hunters may hunt for one bearded turkey with firearms or bow and arrow, and must be accompanied by parent, guardian, or a qualified adult. The qualified adult must be a person 18 or older who has been approved by the youth's parent or guardian and must hold a valid Maine hunting license or have completed a hunter safety course. The accompanying adult cannot possess a firearm during the youth hunting day on Saturday, April 28, 2007.

Game Wardens and members of the Maine Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation teamed up this past Sunday to promote safe turkey hunting. Game Wardens and Maine NWTF members visited local sporting goods stores this past Sunday to talk turkey hunting tactics and turkey hunting safety. Many game wardens were at stores for several hours, answering questions and informing hunters about Maine's wild turkey season.

"This was a great way for Game Wardens and turkey hunters to get together and promote safe turkey hunting," said Major Gregg Sanborn of the Maine Warden Service.