The sun has been out, the grass needs mowing and you’ve been gardening and doing yard work non-stop. Today, it’s time to take a break and start talking turkey.
That’s right, turkey-hunting season is nearly upon us, and if you haven’t spent any time scouting out likely spots, your time is running short.
The state’s young hunters will get a head start on all of us, as Youth Turkey Day is set for May 1.
Youth hunters taking part in that special day must be older than 10, younger than 16, and must possess a junior hunting license. They also must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or qualified adult.
The rest of us will be able to head into the woods on May 3. The best news: There’s no longer a split-season based on your year of birth. This year, all five weeks — from May 3 until June 5 — are open to all hunters.
The resident turkey license fee is $20 this year, but there’s another twist: If you want to be able to bag a second bird, you can purchase a second tag for another $20.
The state’s modern spring wild turkey hunt first took place in 1986, when 605 prospective hunters applied for 500 permits. All hunting took place in York County, and just nine of those hunters actually bagged a turkey.
Participation in the permit lottery peaked in 2003, when 26,505 applicants vied for 12,000 permits. In 2005, the permit drawing was scrapped and all 23,951 applicants received permits.
Cooperation leads to new ramp
DIF&W biologist Tim Obrey checked in recently with a fishery report that has little to do with the actual fish, and a lot to do with a cooperative effort that will make fishing more accessible.
Obrey explained that last fall, Brookfield Renewable Power and Katahdin Forest Management teamed up to build a new boat launch at Harrington Lake.
Harrington Lake is a 1,332-acre water located in T3 R11 and T4 R11, just west of Baxter State Park. According to DeLorme’s Maine Fishing Depth Maps, it has a maximum depth of 134 feet and holds brook trout, landlocked salmon, togue, whitefish and smelts.
Obrey explained that a new ramp was badly needed.
“Prior to the new launch, it was very difficult to launch a boat during low water at Harrington Lake,” Obrey wrote. “The old launch site was located on a sharp corner on the Telos Road and had a steep access road, so it was a bit perilous turning onto the busy logging road with a fully loaded vehicle and boat trailer.”
The new site is located off the Telos Road, about a mile beyond Jackson Pond, Obrey wrote.
Obrey said the landlocked salmon and lake trout fisheries in the lake are top-notch, and anglers who head to Harrington Lake will be treated to views of Double Top and Beanhole mountains, as well as Mount Veto.
“The new launch has an expanded parking area and a turn-around,” Obrey wrote. “Katahdin Forest Management may relocate some of the campsites from the old launch site to this new area in the future.”
Obrey offered thanks on behalf of the state’s sportsmen and –women to both Brookfield Renewable Power and to Katahdin Forest Management for their efforts in constructing the new ramp.
I’ll second Obrey’s sentiments, and add this: Many of our recreational activities are made possible because landowners allow free access to the outdoor playgrounds they own.
All of us should remember that our access to many of those special spots is a privilege, not a right.
With that in mind, we can all pledge to treat those landowners’ properties as if we own them ourselves … or better than that.
Rangeley LURC office closing
Landowners who typically deal with the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission through the organization’s Rangeley office will have to make alternative plans beginning next month.
Citing budget constraints, the Department of Conservation has announced that the Rangeley LURC office will no longer be in use after April 30.
LURC regional representative Erle Townsend will still service customers, but will be temporarily based out of the Augusta LURC office, according to a DOC press release.
Townsend will still make local site visits and conduct inspections in the Rangeley area. He can be reached at 670-7492 or at Erle.Townsend@maine.gov.
According to its Web site, LURC serves as the planning and zoning authority for the state’s townships, plantations and unorganized areas.
A more permanent location in the area is being sought, according to the DOC, and LURC has received approval to fill a vacant regional representative position that had been on hold due to a state hiring freeze.
