AUGUSTA – Maine’s spring wild turkey hunting season opens Saturday with a Youth Only Day to encourage young people to learn about the sport. Adult opening day is Monday, April 28.

“Wild turkeys now are found in every county in the State because of a well-instituted restoration program,” said Roland “Dan” Martin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “Their presence is an amazing success story.”

Hunters must have a valid Spring Wild Turkey Permit and a valid Maine resident hunting license, or a valid non-resident or alien big game hunting license in order to hunt turkey. A valid archery license also permits hunting of wild turkey with bow and arrow in Maine.

Hunters may purchase their permit to harvest online using ‘MOSES’ at www.maine.gov/ifw, at any of the more than 250 MOSES agents statewide, at IF&W headquarters in Augusta, or at manual license agents.

Maine’s wild turkey season is split into two seasons over a five-week period.

Season A runs April 28-May 3, May 19-24 and May 26-31. Hunters with even-numbered birth years (years ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8) will be authorized to hunt during Season A.

Season B is May 5-10, May 12-17 and May 26-31. Hunters with odd-numbered birth years (years ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) will be authorized to hunt during Season B.

Spring legal hours are one half-hour before sunrise until noon local time. Spring areas open to hunting are Wildlife Management Districts 7, 10-18 and 20-26. Spring bag limit is one bearded wild turkey per permit holder per season.

Youth hunters in Saturday’s hunt must be 10 years or older and under 16 years of age. Each must have a junior hunting license and a Spring Wild Turkey Permit.

Adult supervision is required, and the adult must not possess a firearm. Junior hunters may bag one bearded wild turkey with a firearm or a bow and arrow.

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