Contact: Joe Mullin, New England States Senior Coordinator
On April 21, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) announced a change to the turkey hunting season opener that has sportsmen and women even more excited for the coming weeks. Coordinated efforts between the MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso and Governor Janet Mills, member of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, have led to the decision to open the turkey season on Saturday, May 2, rather than Monday, May 4.
By moving the start date up by two days, turkey hunters in the Pine Tree State will be able to enjoy an additional Saturday in their season, as Sunday hunting is strictly prohibited in Maine. The May 2 opener will allow sportsmen and women to take advantage of an additional day in their favorite gobbler-hunting spot. Youth hunters have cause for additional celebration, as the MDIFW announced in their press release that there are now two youth hunting days – as opposed to just one – which will be held on Saturday, April 25 and Monday, April 27, rather than on May 2.
During these unprecedented times, Maine has been out in front with encouraging sportsmen and women to head outdoors and enjoy some of America’s most time-honored traditions, while also practicing safe social distancing. On March 20, the MDIFW and Governor Mills worked alongside one another to suspend the recreational fishing license requirement until April 30 – serving as a model example for ways in which states may support and encourage their respective sporting communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation would like to thank the MDIFW and Governor Mills for continuing to work towards increased opportunities for Maine’s sportsmen and women. For the full press release issued by the MDIFW, please click here.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
