AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The spring season's turkey hunt in Maine is ending.

Maine is home to spring and fall turkey hunts. The spring hunt, which is the busier of the two, reached its final day of the year on Saturday.

Turkeys used to be rare in New England, but repopulation efforts have brought the birds back to the point where they sometimes pose a nuisance.

Maine wildlife officials encouraged residents to hunt turkeys during the coronavirus pandemic because it could be done with social distancing.

The fall turkey hunt begins on Sept. 20.