FARMINGTON – If wild turkeys had a sense of smell, like deer, they’d be nearly impossible to bag. As it is, with their keen eyesight and hearing, the birds are difficult to hunt, according to Bob Cordes, assistant regional wildlife biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

That’s why the department’s free wild turkey management and hunting seminar from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at the University of Maine at Farmington, is important for hunters hitting the fields for jakes and toms – male turkeys – during the spring turkey hunt in the coming two months. The seminar will be in Room A of the North Dining Hall.

“Hunting by itself isn’t a dangerous sport, but hunting turkey is one of the more dangerous activities,” Cordes said Wednesday afternoon by phone in Strong. “That’s due to the nature of a turkey hunt, with people being in camouflage and several people calling. That’s why we’re promoting these seminars, mostly for inexperienced hunters, to help them to identify some of these hazards.”

Forget about wearing blaze orange. Turkeys can see color well, which is why the best way to hunt them is from a blind or while using effective camouflage, Cordes said.

“Think about it this way: With deer hunting, you’re wearing blaze orange. With turkeys, you’re wearing camouflage. With deer, there’s no decoys. With turkeys, you’ve got decoys in front of you. Then, you’re making sounds like a turkey. Calling is not an option, it’s essential,” wildlife biologist Chuck Hulsey said Thursday morning by phone in Strong.

That’s also what makes it dangerous, especially when hunters shoot first without clearly identifying the source of calls.

Cordes will cover turkey biology and management during the first portion of the program. Then, veteran turkey hunter Larry Pike of Cornville will discuss all aspects of hunting safety, strategies, equipment and methods of calling.

Pike, president of the Central Maine Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, will demonstrate a call using the wing bone of a turkey, which, Hulsey said, is how Native Americans hunted turkey.

Depending on attendance, this could be the last seminar of its kind. Hulsey said the seminars were required when hunters got permits, but now they’re optional. Additionally, the department no longer mails out a turkey hunting guide, in which the seminars were listed. That’s available on the department’s Web site.

“We used to have two in the area, but attendance dropped off precipitously when we put it on the Web. But we thought we’d try it one more time. If we don’t have a good turnout, this will be the last one,” he said.

“People who attended these seminars have had a slightly higher success rate than those who haven’t. We know that from our questionnaires. Any turkey hunter of any ability – whether inexperienced or experienced – would benefit by coming to this,” Hulsey said.