Maine hunters wait all year for September, October and November. It’s like being a kid in front of full candy counter — there are so many gunning options it’s difficult to make a choice.
It’s a wonderful problem to have, and like at the candy store, the choice is often a little of several favorites. This autumn there is going to be a new flavor available, so to speak: Aroostook County is going to enjoy our very first fall wild turkey season.
Against heavy odds, the turkey transplanted at various locations throughout the Crown of Maine have not only survived but propagated and spread far and wide. With the region’s frozen ground and deep snow cover, it was questionable that wildfowl that scratch to feed could adapt. Pheasant weren’t able to winter over in years past when they used to be released each fall, but gobblers have managed.
Hunting wild turkey is a very exciting and challenging outdoor endeavor and now will become a new fall season. Buddy Horr and his son Brian enjoyed spring success and are anxious to hunt this autumn.
(Courtesy of Bill Graves)
A number of people in various towns and villages have been feeding deer through the winter for years and the past few years it’s not unusual to see as many turkey taking advantage of the free food as whitetail.
Whatever the reason, wildlife management District (WMD) zone 6 has enough wild turkey to support a fall hunt as well as the spring season that has been ongoing for several years. Youth day will inaugurate this premier autumn outing on Sept. 12 and then open to all sportsmen from Sept. 14 to Nov. 7. During this extended seven-week hunt, it’s legal to shoot a turkey of either sex and any age. As the daylight hours shorten and weather cools, turkey will tend to form larger flocks that can be spotted more easily.
With as many other hunting options available for the next couple of months — ducks, geese, partridge, bear, moose, woodcock and deer with archery or firearm — the pressure is likely to be mild on wild turkey. It’s a perfect time to introduce a young sportsman or rookie adult to this wily game bird. Most outdoorsmen will already own a shotgun that will work on turkey when paired with the right shotshell load and a tight-patterning choke.
Camo clothing is essential, especially a head net and gloves to hide any movement as you scan for birds and move a shotgun into firing position. Hiding in the brush and high grass along a field edge is common practice. A few more hunters are utilizing portable, quick set-up two- or three-person blinds. These lightweight hiding shanties allow shooters to set up anywhere, even the middle of a field, and be protected from the elements as well as allow more freedom of movement in the enclosed structure.
Wild turkey have increased in population and spread out over Aroostook County to such an extent that there will be a premier fall season in Zone 6 starting in September.
(Courtesy of Bill Graves)
It is almost impossible to sneak up close enough to a wild turkey to get a lethal shot. The established and most dependable hunting method is to coax the bird within range using decoys and calling. At least one hen decoy is essential, but experienced hunters use a hen and a jake, two hens and a jake or a hen and Tom. A jake is a young male turkey and a Tom is a mature male. The trick to using a combination is to entice a live Tom to approach the decoys and try to drive the fake male decoy away from the female. This works better in the spring when it’s mating season. In the fall, other gobblers are looking for food or companionship.
There are a lot of reasonably priced turkey decoys to be purchased, but the more realistic features and durable materials cost a bit more. Regardless of being a novice or experienced turkey hunter, it’s hard to beat the effectiveness of a digital electric call. After all, it’s a recording of a real turkey making all the different sounds they do in the wild. The hunter just has to push a button for the desired call. These hand-held devices are as inexpensive as $25. Some have remote wireless speakers that can be placed right under a decoy.
Calls that can be shaken or squeezed are popular for newbies to the sport. They are simple to use, realistic sounding and inexpensive. For hunters seeking more individual participation, learning to use a mouth call or a slate and striker hand-manipulated call is the way to go.
Once a roosting area is located and a hunter sets up before dawn when turkey fly down from their overnight perch to the ground, it’s the call that gets their attention and the decoys that draw them closer.
With so much land in zone 6, scouting is the key to success. It’s imperative to locate roost trees, regular feed fields and pastures and their regular travel trails between the two areas. There are a surprising number of turkeys and this premier fall season will supply some great adventures for regional hunters.
Try something new and you might find a new favorite quarry, and with a bit of luck the main course for Thanksgiving dinner.
