Turkey Federation to hold banquet and auction
File photo by James McCarty
DOZENS OF TURKEYS were successfully released in Perham on Feb. 1 and Feb. 9, 2011. The first release involved 24 wild turkeys that were trapped in Norridgewock, while the second group consisting of 25 birds were captured in Dixfield. This marked the furthest in the northeast the game bird has been set free.
The goal is to “establish another hunting opportunity for recreational hunters,” according to Richard Hoppe, wildlife biologist for the DIFW, “with the ultimate objective of hunting in the County.” Turkeys are quickly adapting to their new homes, including the Ashland area where Hoppe said over 200 birds now can be found, with many of the juveniles migrating out to new territories, as officials predicted. Pictured taking part in the Perham event are, from left: Warden Kevin Pelkey and his wife, Annie Pelkey; and Warden Dave Milligan.
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — Talking turkey will be the focus of two events scheduled this week, with the first taking place on Thursday, April 19, and the second on Friday, April 20, with a local game warden being recognized as the NWTF Maine Wildlife Officer of the Year.
“The Aroostook County Conservation Association (ACCA) and the Crown of Maine Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) have an important meeting of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Commissioner’s Advisory Council, taking place at the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club on the Parsons Road on Thursday at 1 p.m.,” said Paul Camping, ACCA vice president.
The meeting is open to the public and all interested parties are encouraged to attend.
“This is your chance to see your government in action and ask the commissioner questions about the laws and regulations that affect your hunting seasons,” said Camping.
Friday will be the Crown of Maine Chapter’s annual banquet and auction, which will be held at the Northeastland Hotel, 436 Main St., beginning at 6 p.m.
“This year they’re recognizing one of our wardens, Preston Pomerleau, as the 2012 Maine Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year,” said Lt. Tom Warden, Maine Warden Service, headquartered in Ashland.
The NWTF’s Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards program honors the nation’s top wildlife officers in appreciation for their dedication to conserving wildlife and upholding the law.
As a state winner, Pomerleau was eligible to win the NWTF national award, announced during the NWTF’s 36th National Convention and Sport Show, held in February at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. William Bryan Fisher of Eldridge, Ala., won that honor.
“The NWTF is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. A non-profit organization, the NWTF is dedication to conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage,” said John Brasier, spokesperson for the organization.
“Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $372 million to conserve 17 million acres of habitat for upland wildlife,” continued Brasier.
The wild turkey population continues to grow in Aroostook County, thank to local efforts to bring the bird back to the region. Turkeys releases began in southern Aroostook several years ago, with one of the most recent releases of 25 birds occurring in Perham in February 2011. According to Wildlife Biologist Rich Hoppe, the turkeys are quickly adapting to the region, with juveniles migrating to new territories. Over 200 now call Aroostook home.
“The goal is to establish a large enough population to allow hunting in the County,” said Hoppe.
Friday’s auction will feature a wide selection of items to bid on, including: framed art, home furnishings, collectibles, guns, housewares and more. One particular item of interest will be the NWTF Gun of the Year, a Remington 1911 R1. Tickets are available at the Northeastland Hotel and at Ben’s Trading Post in Presque Isle.
For more on the ACCA meeting, call Camping at 498-6120 or visit www.ACCA-Maine.org/.
For more information on Friday’s banquet and auction, call Ben Leblanc at 768-3181. To learn about the NWTF, visit www.nwtf.org or call 800-THE-NWTF.
