As wild turkey season begins today, Maine’s newest hunt is looking as impressive as a great tom strutting through the woods with fanned feathers. The question state biologists are asking is the same one that haunts turkey hunters pursuing the bird: When will it end?

Since the hunt began in 1986, the success rate has soared, applicants have climbed to the 20,000 mark, and turkeys have been sighted everywhere from York County, where they were introduced for the second time in 1977, to the northern tip of Washington County, where one resident claims to have seen them.

Because many hunters here are still learning how to bag the cautious bird, a high harvest is not a given. Maine state bird biologist Andy Weik said the fact that hunters are taking more birds each year supports estimations that the population is growing. From 41 in 1977, their numbers have expanded to an estimated 15,000 birds.

Even though Maine turkeys have been hunted less than those in other states, they seem to be just as wary of humans. Only the male birds, identified by their colorful beards, are legal game.

“Our birds are the same genetic stock as birds in Vermont, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania,” Weik said. “I’ve hunted turkeys in Connecticut. I don’t see any difference in the wariness of Maine birds.”

The success rate among Maine turkey hunters has increased steadily in the past 15 years. The success rate is the number of turkeys killed vs. the number of turkey permits issued. It has been well above 20 percent since 1996, and last year it hit 39 percent. Weik said such success is the kind found in states where turkey hunting has a long tradition.

Missouri, for example, had a 28 percent success rate last year, as did Vermont, while Connecticut had a success rate of 20 percent.

“It would be pretty tough to match last year’s success rate,” Weik said. “That was phenomenal.”

The prosperity Maine turkey hunters have enjoyed, however, could be hindered this year. The introduction of a split season will put twice as many hunters in the field, although it will allow them less time to hunt.

All permit holders previously had four weeks to hunt during turkey season. Last year, 4,000 people received turkey permits in a lottery similar to the moose drawing.

This year’s hunt will have 3,500 hunters trying to call the bird to them May 1-5 and May 21-28, and another 3,500 “talking turkey” from May 7 to 19.

Because of the growing turkey population, the hunting zone also has been extended. This year it will reach west of Belgrade to New Hampshire, and extend east of Blue Hill, Bucksport and Brooklin to include more of Hancock and Washington counties along the coast.

With so many additional permits added each year – there were only 750 in 1995, Weik said, many Mainers are still learning how to hunt the wary bird, which is not easy.

As cavalier as they may appear, wild turkeys are a quick study. The bird can be called with a device or with a good human imitation during its spring breeding season; it also can be easily spooked.

Weik said that when a turkey is shot at once and missed, it becomes savvy to the ways of humans, making it tough on the first-time hunter.

“Any advantage a hunter had up until then is gone,” Weik said. “There is a lot of preparation needed, a lot of scouting.”

Steve Brooks, a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation who helped draw up legislation to start Maine’s turkey hunt, said that at turkey seminars held statewide before each hunt, he’s seen new hunters year after year.

Brooks, who has hunted wild turkeys in New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Vermont, said it’s not as simple as grab your gun and go.

As with hunting deer or ducks, there are plenty of extras a hunter could invest in for wild turkey season. Brooks boils it down to four essential items: a license, camouflage clothing, a “friction” box call – the simplest of devices to call the bird, and a shotgun set for a range at which a hunter is comfortable shooting.

Brooks said that range will vary, but generally with a 12-gauge shotgun 40 yards is the maximum distance a hunter can shoot a turkey and manage to hit it in the head and neck using a 3.5-inch magnum shell with a No. 4, 5 or 6 shot size.

Some hunters say a person can go without the fancy Army fatigues, as long as he wears browns and greens and avoids reds, blues and white. The important thing is not to wear those hues because they are the colors of a turkey’s beard and will make the hunter a target.

One statistic that makes Maine unique is its 15-year clean record: No one has been injured in a turkey hunting accident.

Elsewhere turkey hunters have become victims of firearm accidents because they are dressed in camouflage, they are trying to remain hidden, and they are trying to duplicate a turkey’s mating call.

On that note, Brooks said his list of essentials also includes safety gear such as a knife, matches, compass and first aid kit.

Brooks said regardless of how Maine hunters fare in the new split season, one aspect of the hunt that is guaranteed to get harder is drawing a permit. Brooks’ name has been drawn for a permit only five or six times, and he knows others who have waited 10 years.

Deirdre Fleming covers outdoor sports and recreation for the NEWS. She can be reached at 990-8250 or at dfleming@bangordailynews.net.