This writer enjoys turkey hunting. A lot.
It became a real passion back in 1987 when my first bird, a jake in West Rutland, Vermont, was called in by Vermonter Larry Sears. That morning’s experience with a veteran turkey hunter was an education from the pre-dawn start. The pairing resulted when Sears and Bart Jacob, who was becoming a turkey hunting legend and talented call-maker, presented an informative program the first night of the New England Outdoor Writers Association Spring Safari held in Poultney, Vermont, that May.
The two men talked turkey hunting basics to the gathered writers and explained what turkey hunters should and should not do when hunting the bird that was then a new game species for hunters in New England.
Turkeys had been extirpated in Massachusetts and were restored to huntable numbers in the early 1980s. Being paired with Larry was such a great opportunity for me as he was the perfect mentor, explaining what he was doing and why.
Over the years, turkey hunting has connected me with some wonderful people and taken me to interesting places. Driving in the wee hours to eastern New York, just over the Mass border, while listening to country music is still a great memory. Getting up and going hunting before going to work at Mahar Regional made me feel so lucky to be out in the woods when things went from dark and quiet to a chorus of spring sounds and interesting sights.
Over the years, a booming gobble and the impossible-to-describe visual of a tom in full strut with his head red with excitement, with the sun making his feathers absolutely shine has become the real reward for getting up so early. There have been, however, so many other wonderful sights and sounds. Before the foliage comes in, you can see so much. Deer are active in the turkey woods and sometimes you see the nubs of velvet antlers starting to grow on top of a buck’s head. Coyotes, foxes, and raccoons have come in investigating the sounds of my calling and there have been fisher sightings as well.
Wednesday morning, the highlight was a female wood duck who landed in a dead tree in front of my chosen spot to sit before she hopped around from tree to tree. In the past, turkey hunting trips have resulted in the same kind of sightings as tree nesting “woodies” go house hunting. Once in Kansas, a pair of wood ducks went from tree to tree, and it looked like the male was trying to get his lady friend to choose one, but she was not buying. The spring woods are always full of bird calls as songbirds are active in courtship as well. One of my regrets is that my life did not included time spent learning what birds make what calls. There are a number of real bird experts associated with the Athol Bird and Nature Club, and they are as passionate as any turkey hunter when it comes to birding!
There was no gobbling Wednesday, so after an hour it was home for breakfast. The season has been fun with lots of gobbles and chances to “work” a number of birds. Two different gobbling birds turned out to be jakes – birds of the past spring who have legal beards, but they are short, usually around three inches, and this is not what this turkey hunter is interested in at this point of my life.
At least three times, what I am sure was the same longbeard has come in and circled my location without presenting me with the sure shot that is my goal. Sometimes, poor location selection and sometimes, bad luck, but it has been fun. Best of all, there was no need to lug a heavy tom out of the woods and then spend time cleaning it. All the fun with no heavy lifting!
Moving on, the 2026-2027 Massachusetts Migratory Bird Regulations have been set. There are as follows:
Proposed 2026–2027 season dates
Woodcock: Oct. 1 – Nov. 21
Youth waterfowl hunts: Sept. 26 and Oct. 3 (ages 12–17, with licensed adult, one firearm)
Veteran’s waterfowl hunts: Sept. 26 and Oct. 3 (active-duty military, National Guard/Reserve on active duty,and veterans)
Early goose (statewide): Sept. 1 – Sept. 25
Regular goose:
- Berkshire: Oct. 12 – Nov. 28
- Central: Oct. 10 – Nov. 28 and Dec. 15 – Jan. 2
- Coastal: Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 and Nov. 27 – Jan. 27
Late goose:
- Berkshire: Dec. 15 – Feb. 13
- Central: Jan 16. – Feb. 13
- North Coastal (late goose only): Jan. 28 – Feb. 13
Duck:
- Berkshire: Oct. 12 – Nov. 28 and Dec. 14 – Jan. 2
- Central: Oct. 10 – Nov. 28 and Dec. 15 – Jan. 2
- Coastal: Oct. 10 – Oct. 17 and Nov. 27 – Jan. 27
Falconry: Oct 12. – Feb 12.
That is in keeping with past seasons. You need to check all species bag limits. The regulations should be in printed form soon, and all information is also available on the MassWildlife website.
The prolonged drought is becoming a concern. Recent warm temperatures and high winds created a severe risk of wildfires. The typical “April Showers” did not materialize and the need for sustained precipitation is very real. Please be extremely careful with any fires, no matter how small.
Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.