Turkey hunting is a popular pastime for many outdoor enthusiasts in Maine The Pine Tree State offers turkey hunters excellent opportunities to bag these wary game birds during both spring and fall hunting seasons But when exactly does turkey season start in Maine each year? Read on for a complete guide to the seasons, dates, permits, and bag limits for spring and fall wild turkey hunting in Maine.
Overview of Turkey Hunting Seasons in Maine
Maine has separate spring and fall hunting seasons for wild turkeys:
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Spring turkey season runs from late April to late May. This is only for bearded turkeys.
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Fall turkey season runs from mid-September through early November You can take either sex during this season
Specific season dates vary each year. Both seasons offer youth hunting days for hunters age 16 and under. Turkeys can be hunted with bow and arrow, crossbow, or shotgun. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.
When Does Spring Turkey Season Start?
The opening day of spring wild turkey season in Maine is in late April each year. Here are the key dates for the 2025 season:
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Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Day – April 26, 2025
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Regular Spring Turkey Season – April 28 – May 31, 2025
During spring season, hunters can harvest up to two bearded wild turkeys in Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) with a two bird limit. You can take one bearded turkey in WMDs with a one bird limit.
Spring turkey hunting is open statewide but is most productive in southern and central Maine. Popular WMDs include 12, 13, 15-17, 20-26 and 30.
When Does the Fall Turkey Season Start?
Maine’s fall turkey season begins in mid-September and runs through early November. Key dates for fall 2025 are:
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Youth Fall Turkey Hunt Day – September 13, 2025
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Regular Fall Turkey Season – September 15 – November 7, 2025
Fall turkey limits vary by WMD from 1 to 5 birds of either sex. You can take up to 2 turkeys per day. WMDs 15-17, 20-25 have the highest bag limits.
Fall hunting success depends on scouting, calling, and weather. Seek areas with abundant oak and beech trees where turkeys feed. The best fall turkey hunting is found in central and southern Maine.
Turkey Hunting Permits and Licenses
To hunt turkeys in Maine you need:
- A valid Maine big game hunting license
- A wild turkey hunting permit for the season you’re hunting
Maine residents pay $22 for the spring or fall turkey permit. It allows you to take up to 2 bearded turkeys in spring and up to 5 turkeys of either sex in fall.
Nonresidents can buy a spring or fall turkey permit for $58 which allows one turkey per season.
You also need to purchase a Maine big game hunting license. Fees are $27 for residents and $117 for nonresidents age 16 and older.
All required licenses and permits can be bought online or from license agents across the state.
Tips for a Successful Turkey Season
Here are some key tips to improve your odds of bagging a spring or fall turkey in Maine:
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Scout early – Locate flocks and roost sites weeks before the season opener.
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Use decoys and calls – Set up hen decoys and use turkey calls to draw in gobblers during spring. Call aggressively using locator calls during fall.
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Pick travel corridors – Set up along trails between roosting and feeding areas at dawn and dusk.
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Try driving turkeys – Walk through the woods making calls to push birds towards waiting hunters.
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Wait patiently – Be ready when turkeys sound off before flying down from the roost.
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Camouflage well – Conceal yourself and remain absolutely still when turkeys are near.
Wild Turkey Legal Hunting Hours
Legal hunting time is from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
Wild Turkey Hunting Prohibitions
No person may:
- Employ the use of a dog or dogs in any manner while hunting turkey except during the fall season;
- Engage in an organized drive of any manner;
- Use bait;
- Use a trap or other device intended or designed to capture or ensnare wild turkeys;
- Shoot a turkey while it is in a tree;
- Present for registration, or allow to be registered in his or her name, a wild turkey that he/she did not lawfully kill;
- Hunt wild turkeys within a WMD which is closed to hunting wild turkeys.
- Possess any part or parts of a wild tur key unless each part is plainly labeled with the name and address of the person who registered the turkey, and the year it was registered;
- Buy, sell, offer for sale or barter, or aid someone in buying, selling, or offering for sale or barter, any wild turkey (except the plumage of legally taken turkeys).
- Hunt or register a wild turkey during the spring season after having killed or registered two turkeys.
- Possess any part or parts of a wild turkey unless each part is plainly labeled with the name and address of the person who registered the turkey, and the year it was registered;
Quick Tips for Your First Turkey Season (Maine 2020 Turkey Hunt part one)
FAQ
Is turkey season open in Maine?
Maine’s spring wild turkey hunting season begins on Monday, April 29! All turkeys harvested in the spring or fall hunting seasons must be registered. Harvest data is critical to monitoring Maine’s wild turkey population and regulating hunting seasons and bag limits.
What day does turkey hunting season start?
California. SEASON DATES: General Season: March 30 – May 5, 2024. Archery Season: March 30 – May 19, 2024.
What are the dates for hunting season in Maine?
- Expanded Archery (Designated Areas Only): September 6 – December 13, 2025.
- Regular Archery: October 4 – 31, 2025.
- Youth Deer: October 24 – 25, 2025.
- Maine Residents-Only Day: November 1, 2025.
- Firearms: November 3 – 29, 2025.
- Muzzleloader (Statewide): December 1 – 6, 2025.
Can you shoot two turkeys in one day in Maine?
No more than two wild turkeys may be harvested per permit holder per day, but cannot exceed the WMD bag limit. May take up to 2 Wild Turkeys of any sex or age, without exceeding a WMD bag limit that has a 1-bird limit.
When is Maine wild turkey hunting season 2024?
When is the Maine Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season 2024? Beginning on April 29 and concluding on June 1 of 2024. How many turkeys can hunters take during the Spring in Maine? Two bearded birds are allowed in the bag for hunters in WMD 7 and 9-29, while just one bearded turkey is allowed in districts 1-6 and 8.
When can I Hunt a wild turkey?
Hunt or register a wild turkey during the spring season after having killed or registered two turkeys. Legal hunting time is from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. The spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons are open to all hunters with valid big or small game hunting licenses.
How much does a wild turkey permit cost in Maine?
d Maine big or small game firearms or archery licenses. A combination spring/ fall wild turkey permit available for $20, plus agent fee.WILD TURKEY TAGGINGPrior to presenting a wild turkey for registration, a person may not possess or leave that animal in the field or forest unless they have securely attached a plainly visible tag to the animal
Where can I find Turkey season dates & regulations?
TurkeySeason.com provides state by state turkey season dates and regulations through an interactive map of the United States. It is a one-stop source for every state’s turkey season information.
When is wild turkey hunting day 2024?
Beginning on April 29 and concluding on June 1 of 2024. How many turkeys can hunters take during the Spring in Maine? Two bearded birds are allowed in the bag for hunters in WMD 7 and 9-29, while just one bearded turkey is allowed in districts 1-6 and 8. When is the Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Day 2024?
Do you need a license to hunt wild turkeys?
Anyone who possesses a big game firearm license or archery license may obtain a combination spring/fall wild turkey permit. A small game hunting license, in addition to a spring/fall wild turkey permit, is also valid for hunting wild turkeys. Wild Turkey Registration 2024-2025 Turkey Hunting Quick Reference Guide (PDF)