Although Maine’s turkey hunt is a relatively new ritual of spring for the outdoorsman, it is growing by leaps and bounds. Last spring, 9,000 turkey hunters took to the woods. When the 2003 season begins on April 28, there will be about 12,000 permitted hunters pursuing the longbeards.

I have found turkey hunting to be great fun. Not only do wild turkeys make great table fare, they are smart and wary and a challenge to hunt. Given the ever-increasing number of turkey hunters on the Maine scene, what we have in the woods are an unprecedented number of novice hunters — beginners who will learn by doing.

While there is nothing wrong with trial-and-error education, knowledge and tactics play a leading role in any turkey hunter’s success. In fact, other than deer hunting, I know of no other Maine hunt that requires as much stealth, careful planning and familiarity with the quarry to be successful.

While it’s true that there is such a thing as beginner’s luck, the odds will favor the turkey hunter who spends some time either learning in the field from other veteran turkey hunters or reading up ahead of time. A new turkey hunter who does little more than practice a few “clucks,” purchases a couple of decoys and then heads into the woods before first light is not prepared. For example, although there are four or five basic turkey calls, experts claim that there are at least 30 distinct turkey sounds. Additionally, safe turkey hunting revolves around a somewhat extensive set of ethical codes or points of good etiquette. Hunters who don’t adhere to these ethical standards can endanger themselves and others.

In short, if turkey hunting is new for you, spend some time in preparation. State wildlife biologists put on regional informational seminars around the state in early April. Take in one of these. Above all, get a good book about turkey hunting, and spend some time with it. Maine outdoor writer Bob Humphrey, a devoted turkey hunter and trained wildlife biologist, has just released his first book titled “New England Turkey Hunting.”

Humphrey has put together an exceptionally informative and useful book, not only for novice turkey hunters but experienced hunters as well. He covers it all in this four-part, 270 page publication, from the evolution of New England’s wild turkey program to calling techniques, equipment, where to hunt, and hunting etiquette and safety.

A serious guy who has worked hard to increase his stature as a regional and national outdoor writer, Humphrey knows his stuff, and it comes through in his book. A near-fanatical turkey hunter, Humphrey gathered his book material in a thorough and methodical way. Over the years, he has not only turkey hunted all of the six New England states that he writes about, he has cultivated relationships with wildlife biologists in all of the New England states!

“New England Turkey Hunting” is an “honest” book. It is superbly organized and cleanly crafted. It is refreshingly free of longwinded hunting tales and needless nuance. Humphrey shares with the reader a few field experiences, but only the ones that make a point or underscore a lesson for the apprentice hunter.

To his credit, Humphrey devotes a full 17 pages to “Part Three: Where To Go — State By State.” For beginners or experienced turkey hunters, this may be one of the most useful sections of the book. This section contains detailed information about turkey habitat throughout New England. This includes a state-by-state breakdown of harvest statistics county by county.

Turkey hunting can be frustrating, as Humphrey acknowledges in his chapter on “Advanced Tactics.” As a turkey hunter, I have known first-hand what Humphrey describes as the “passive-aggressive calling riddle.” More than once, a Tom has answered my hen call and started my way only to “hang up” about 50 yards away — just out of shotgun range. Experts have given me contradictory advice on solving this riddle. Some say start calling aggressively. Others say stop calling and wait it out.

Humphrey offers some thoughtful insights to the question: To call or not to call? For veteran turkey hunters, this chapter alone is worth the price of the book. Humphrey, who is no slouch as a wildlife photographer, has salted his book with some excellent photographs of turkeys in the wild, as well.

I truly can’t think of a better way to prepare yourself for this spring’s turkey hunt than to spend some quiet time with “New England Turkey Hunting.” It does what it advertises: providing strategies for success. Check it out at your favorite book store or contact the author at Sport-Ventures, 727 Poland Range Road, Poland, Maine 04069. The telephone number is (207) 688-4966. Check out Humphrey’s Web site at www.bobhumphrey.com. Price of the book is $19.95.

V. Paul Reynoldss editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of the weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on 103.9/FM, and former information officer for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. His e-mail address is paul@sportingjournal.com.

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