Turkey relocation program takes flight

By Kathy McCarty 
Staff Writer
    An Aroostook County organization has been talking a lot of turkey the last few years, hoping to expand the range of the wild turkey to include the northernmost sections of the state.
    “The Crown of Maine Wild Turkey Federation has about 40 members. John Gagnon is the president, Bob Streck is our secretary/treasurer and I’m the vice president of the chapter,” said Angela Gagnon.
    Gagnon said the club, like other non-profit organizations, welcomes new members that have the time and energy to bring up and follow through with public functions. She said meetings are held “when needed.”
    “We’ve been holding some recently to prepare for our biggest fund-raiser, The Annual National Wild Turkey Hunting Heritage Banquet. These banquets are done at every chapter in the nation. The funds are used for public education, college scholarships, equipment or to purchase feed or trees to establish feed plots for the turkeys. Not only do the birds benefit, but also donations are sometimes made to designated community needs,” said Gagnon.
    An effort by the National Wild Turkey Federation 30 years ago, that involved the trapping of 41 wild turkeys in Vermont and ended with the birds being shipped to and released in Maine, was the start of the state’s turkey reintroduction program.
    “At first, the wildlife professionals were reluctant to restore turkey populations in Maine because of the extreme cold weather and snow,” said Dr. James Earl Kennamer, NWTF senior vice president of conservation programs. “The wild turkey is resilient and can survive harsh conditions, so you have to take that into account.”
    Proof of that is evident in Aroostook County, with turkeys released in just the past few years doing quite well, according to officials. Releases in the Houlton and Bridgewater area have reportedly been quite successful, with additional releases planned now in other locations. Most recently, birds have been set free in the Ashland area.
    “Turkeys have been relocated to the Ashland area. However, many people have sighted or heard turkeys throughout central Aroostook. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will determine when enough of a population has been established,” said Gagnon, noting that hunting of turkey remains illegal in Aroostook.
    Hunting is allowed, however, in the southern regions of the state.
    Gagnon said the turkeys are adjusting well to their new territory.
    “They survived last year’s snow and this year’s cold weather. They have adjusted to the area’s natural food supply such as crab apples, wild berries and even burdocks,” said Gagnon.
    The local chapter’s goal is to establish a thriving flocks throughout the county, enabling a hunting season to be established while maintaining a viable flock.
    “I’d really like to be able to take a drive and see flocks of turkeys in the wild such as seen in the countryside of southern Maine or the rest of New England — a population big enough that we can open at least one hunting season and still maintain a healthy population,” said Gagnon.
    According to Gagnon, turkeys are of interest to more than just hunters.
    “Turkeys are appealing for many people, whether you’re a hunter or just sightseeing,” she said.
    Gagnon said her organization has been actively trying to get the word out about what they’re doing, taking part in a number of activities locally.
    “We attended the Sportsman’s Show at UMPI on March 28 and 29. We use events like that as an educational tool and usually sell tickets on some type of prize, like a 12-gauge shotgun, to raise funds for various purposes as I mentioned earlier,” said Gagnon.
    Tickets are also still available for an event slated for later this month.
    “We are also selling tickets for the NWTF Hunting Heritage Banquet scheduled for April 24 at the Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle. Funds are needed for relocation and establishing feed plots when food is scarce, shrub planting, corn plots, etc.,” said Gagnon.
    Today, more than 40,000 wild turkeys make their home in Maine, thanks to restocking efforts of the Maine DIFW, which received help in the early years from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Maine state and local chapters of the NWTF.
    “The NWTF works hand-in-hand with the MDIFW, trapping and transferring wild turkeys,” said Jim Plourde, Maine State Chapter president. “We fund a lot of it, too, with our Super Fund dollars.”
    Maine started their NWTF State Chapter in 1980 and opened its first spring season in York County in 1986. Today, there are 15 districts with spring seasons. A spring turkey permit is required in addition to a valid hunting license that allows hunting of big game. Spring wild turkey hunting dates are: May 4 through June 6, 2009; Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Day, May 2.
    For more information on the turkey release program or the upcoming banquet, contact Gagnon at frenchgagnon@yahoo.com or call 554-8911.
    “From comments made at the Sportsman’s Show, folks reported sightings in Limestone, Fort Fairfield, Blaine, the State Rd. (Castle Hill), Frenchville Rd. (Ashland), New Sweden, Washburn and other locations. We had three releases in March in the Ashland area, with two more planned,” said Gagnon. “It’s looking good so far. We’re looking forward to seeing the turkey become as local as the moose and coyote.”