Boxed and heading for Marsardis

Our Vice President hard at work

IFW biologists Al Starr and Mike Schummer with a good catch

Newly released Marsardis birds right at home

However, the later part of the winter produced some deeper snows and limited turkey mobility to some extent such that there were a few reported nuisance complaints that both MDIFW and the Maine Chapter NWTF worked together on to resolve for landowners. Responding to these complaints also allowed for the capture and transfer of wild turkey to other areas that contain suitable habitat.

Each year, MDIFW puts together a list of proposed release sites. Efforts are now focused on downeast, the western mountains, northern Penobscot, and Aroostook County.

Machias was the first release site on the list for this winter. This effort was to compliment a release from 2005 when nine juvenile hens (jennies) were released.

Our wildlife Region A located in the most southern part of the state responded to a nuisance complaint in Minot during late February. Six birds (4 males & 2 females) were trapped and transferred to the Machias release site.

MDIFW Region F located in the Penobscot River Valley, and the Penobscot Valley Chapter of NWTF responded to a nuisance complaint in Kenduskeag and captured an additional four toms that were transported to Machias to complete the release. These birds were trapped using a drop net design built by members of the Penobscot Chapter.

The second release site was Marsardis located well into “The County”. The release location was associated with the Aroostook River Valley, and will make for a good corridor for the birds to use as they naturally expand their northern range.

Two capture efforts by the Penobscot Valley Chapter and Region F accounted for the 25 birds released. The drop net captured 7 females at a farm in Kenduskeag, and a mixed flock of 18 birds were trapped on a farm in Charleston using the more traditional rocket net.
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With winter running out, and turkey movement increasing with the arrival of spring and the breeding season, the Penobscot Valley Chapter and Region F gave it one last effort over in Charleston. Eight females were captured and released at the third site located in Brookton. More birds should be released there next winter to consider the release complete, however this release does compliment the 2005 release in nearby Topsfield.

In summary, 8 males and 2 females were released in Machias. The Marsardis release included 17 females and 8 males, and the partial release in Brookton included 8 females.

MDIFW would like to thank the Maine Chapter of NWTF and especially the Penobscot Valley Chapter for all their help again this year. We hope to continue our efforts again next winter.

Mark A. Caron
Regional Wildlife Biologist-Region F