Maine is home to about 75,000 eastern wild turkeys and approximately 20,000 turkey hunters. Do the math, and that’s a favorable turkey-to-hunter ratio. Historically, with about five weeks to pursue birds, and unpressured birds to pursue, this is a great hunt for those willing to make the journey. Last season, hunters bagged over 7,000 birds. Despite the incorrect perceptions of some, the turkey hunting in Maine is no joke.
In past years, on average, it costed about $35 for residents and $70 for non-residents to hunt The Pine Tree State. These are incredibly affordable licenses and tags. Tack on great turkey production numbers for the past few years, and this season should be great.
Hunters will likely find the best turkey population densities in the southern stretches of the state, but that area is mostly private land, and it’s harder to get permission to hunt there.
Furthermore, this destination has a lot to offer in way of cultural appeal. The atmosphere is incredible, environment is beautiful, and food is delicious. Add in hard-gobbling birds, and these are all great reasons to head northward.
Of course, there is still no Sunday hunting here. Plus, it’s a great distance to travel for most non-resident hunters. Still, if you can overcome these hurdles, it’s certainly a northeastern turkey hunt to try. Hunters will likely find the best turkey population densities in the southern stretches of the state, but that area is mostly private land, and it’s harder to get permission to hunt there. Central Maine has lower turkey numbers, but sees less hunting pressure, too. Turkey populations get quite scarce in northern Maine.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Turkey POSSE host Josh Dahlke knows a great opportunity when he sees one, and that’s exactly why he traveled to Maine to chase thunder. As part of a three-state turkey tour in the Northeast, this leg obviously paid off. A sneaky river-bottom gobbler waddles in, but it doesn’t get the chance to waddle away. It comes in quietly, but Dahlke lowers the boom. Turkey nuggets for dinner.
25 Steps to More Turkey Hunting Permission
