RUMFORD – Maine’s wild turkey season is split into two parts – spring and fall – over a five-week period, according to a state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife report.

Hunting this year is allowed in districts 7, 10-18 and 20-26, which is all but northern Maine.

Last spring, 19,079 people had wild turkey permits, but only 6,083 bagged a gobbler.

Only shotgun gauges 10 through 20 using shot sizes 4 through 6, or bow and arrow can be used. The limit is one bearded male turkey per permit holder per season.

Youth-only days, like the one on Saturday, are held to encourage children aged 10 through 15 to learn about the sport while under adult supervision. Junior hunters can also hunt on any Saturday during the season.

Legal hours are from half an hour before sunset to noon. Spring hunting dates from late April through May are so chosen to allow most breeding to take place.

Hens begin incubation prior to the season start, making them less vulnerable to shooting after they begin incubating, according to the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Web site.

Additionally, hens often leave the nest during the afternoon hours, which is why the daily hunt stops at noon. The hunt is limited to bearded turkeys only.

Hunters must have a valid spring wild turkey permit and a valid Maine resident hunting license or a valid nonresident or alien big-game hunting license to hunt turkey. A valid archery license also permits hunting of wild turkey with bow and arrow.

Permits can be bought online using the MOSES registration system at www.maine.gov/ifw, at any of more than 250 MOSES agents statewide, at Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters in Augusta, or at manual license agents.

For more information, visit www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting_trapping/hunting/wildturkey_springguide.htm.