Turkey Hunting Season Changes
December 20th, 2005 by Administrator
Turkey Hunting Season Changes - Many of you may remember how cold, wet and long last spring was. In fact, those of you that turkey hunted probably remember these conditions all too well. In some parts of the state it rained 25 days during the May wild turkey season. Rainy weather continued into June and this type of weather normally equates into low nest success and few wild turkey poults observed later in summer. However, reports during August indicated an assortment of brood ages being observed, suggesting that a successful renesting effort followed the spring rains. It seems neither the deep snow of a Maine winter nor the deluge of spring can deter the wild turkey from surviving and continuing to expand it’s range in Maine.
This success of the wild turkey across the many faces of Maine’s wilderness landscape continues to allow for increases in turkey hunting opportunities. In 2005, 23,951 hunters applied for permits and everyone was given a permit (due to a bill introduced into the Legislature that increased the number of permits), compared to 24,039 hunters applying for 15,600 spring turkey permits in 2004, and 26,505 individuals applying for 12,000 permits in 2003. For the second year permits will be unlimited in spring 2006.
The 2006 spring season framework is:
Hunting hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise until 12:00 pm (noon).
Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) open to hunting: 10-18, 20-26* (* Note that WMDs 10 and 11 have been added and WMD 27 has been eliminated from the 2006 turkey hunting zone, however, the boundary of WMD 26 has been expanded in an easterly direction; see the 2006 hunting laws and rules for descriptions of new WMD boundaries)
Unlimited permits allocated: permits divided evenly between A & B seasons by year of birth (even year - A Season, odd year - B season)
Youth Day: April 29, 2006 (open to all permit holders age 10-15)
Season A: May 1, 2006 - May 6, 2006
May 22, 2006 - May 27, 2006
May 29, 2006 - June 3, 2006
Season B: May 8, 2006 - May 20, 2006
May 29, 2006 - June 3, 2006
Remember, with more permit holders heading to the woods and fields of Maine to hunt wild turkeys each year, safety must continue to be priority one. Always exercise safe hunting practices and best of luck bagging your spring long-beard!
Michael L. Schummer, Wildlife Biologist, Bird Group