All wildlife have unique adaptations to ensure survival. From changing color with the seasons, flying a 2,500-mile migration, or having bodies that can tolerate freezing, most adaptations are nothing short of astonishing, and these extraordinary characteristics often mean life or death.

There was once a time when the state of Maine lost its wild turkey population. In the 1800s before hunting was regulated, turkeys were hunted to extirpation and the future of wild turkeys looked grim for some time. Beginning in the late 1970s, reintroduction efforts to our state began to take after decades of unsuccessful attempts. With their challenging comeback in both Maine and the United States, there are several reasons to be grateful for our currently healthy and widespread wild turkey population.