Get ready for turkey hunting season!
 Turkey hunting season is right around the corner, and it's a great time to get outside! Soon you will be sitting in your blind watching the sunrise, waiting to call in that bearded tom turkey. Youth day is this Saturday, April 26, and the season opens to all hunters from Monday, April 28 - Saturday, May 31.
Hunting licenses and turkey hunting permits can be purchased online or at local agents. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the Hunting Lawbook and review the season dates and bag limits.
If you haven't completed a hunter safety course yet, but would like to give turkey hunting a try, take a moment to learn more about the apprentice hunting license! Consider talking with a friend, family member or coworker who might serve as a mentor to help you get started on your Maine turkey hunting adventure.
Looking for a great place to hunt? Maine's Wildlife Management Areas offer wonderful opportunity to hunt on public land that is managed by MDIFW. Find one in your neck of the woods!
Maine is also fortunate to have landowners who offer access to their private property to hunt. Read more about exploring private land in Maine.
We hope you have a safe and memorable hunting season!
Hunting is one of the safest outdoor activities in Maine! Let's keep it that way by following these safety tips when heading into the woods:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
- Use safe carrying methods
- Always be certain of your target and beyond
- Flag your hunting area with orange tape or fabric to indicate your location to other hunters - a simple wrap of orange tape around a nearby tree does the trick
- Be aware of your surroundings and others around you - Remember that you will be sharing the woods with hikers, utility workers, woods operators, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Be courteous, there are millions of acres to share!
- Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return
- Always bring a survival kit
Remember to take precautions while enjoying the outdoors. Consider treating your clothes with permethrin or other tick repellent according to the instructions on the container, tuck the loose ends of your clothing in, and check yourself routinely.
Turkeys can be self-registered online OR in-person at a registration station
To self-register a turkey online, hunters may use a phone, computer, or any electronic device with internet connection. If a hunter has poor internet connection, they must attach a transportation label (with their name, license number, and address) and drive to a location with better internet connection. Once self-registered, hunters will receive a seal number via email to confirm the wild turkey was registered. The confirmation can be saved to the device or printed. There is no fee to self-register a turkey online.
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, Saturday April 26.
Hunters who prefer to register their harvest in-person at a registration station are encouraged to do so. Click here for a list of in-person registration stations.
For more information on how to register wild turkeys in-person or online and how MDIFW uses harvest data to manage the State's wild turkey population and set bag limits, visit mefishwildlife.com/tagaturkey
|
Roost your tom!
The evening before your hunt, scout out your hunting area. Locate your tom, watch him fly up into a tree, and plan your setup for the next morning.
Use a hen decoy!
Hen decoys are essential for the spring season when jakes and toms are on the move to mate. Throw in an additional hen or jake decoy as not to intimidate a tom.
Try a box call!
Wooden box calls are ideal for beginners and fun to use. Chalk up the lid and brush across the bottom box causing friction and noise. Strike lightly for a softer call and harder for a more aggressive call. Brush up on your turkey calling!
|
Developing your turkey hunting skills will a workshop as early as Saturday. You'll learn about the laws and regulations, hunting gear, methods, tactics, processing, and more!
The Maine outdoors is a place for everyone. Maine Outdoor Programs are designed for first timers as well as those eager to bring their skills to the next level.
|
|
