FARMINGTON – Turkeys in Maine were virtually wiped out by 1815 because of overharvesting and loss of habitat. Similar trends were being seen in other parts of the country despite attempts to increase turkey populations.

In 1977, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife began a concerted effort to re-establish wild turkeys in Maine by bringing birds from other states. Within a few years turkeys were well on their way to making a comeback.

“Relocation has proved to be the only effective way of re-establishing turkey populations,” said Andy Weik, a biologist for the state, at a seminar on wild turkeys last week.

Weik estimated that there are now between 25,000 and 40,000 turkeys in Maine, including birds relocated into Franklin County. Those numbers are good news for hunters, who will get more chances to take turkeys in the coming years. Weik mentioned several goals of those managing turkey populations, including an unlimited fall hunt by 2010. Hunting permits are issued by lottery, but the number of permits has grown from 500 in 1990 to 16,000 this year.

“The number of permits increases by 30 percent each year,” said state regional biologist Chuck Hulsey. Hulsey said that permits were limited because so few people in the area were familiar with turkey hunting.

“It wasn’t so much about biology as it was about safety and the possibility of having a negative hunting experience,” he said. “In 14 years we’ve only had one accident, and that happened two years ago.”

Western Maine Audubon Society hosted the seminar. About 50 members attended.

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