Martin County State Forest, 7,023 acres, is four miles east of Shoals on U.S. Route 50. Manager Jim Lauck, or Darrin Bridges, assistant manager, can be reached by calling (812) 247-3491. Spring turkey hunters took 250 birds in Martin County in 2003 and 217 birds in 2004. "You see and hear them (wild turkeys) everywhere," Bridges said, noting that the Indiana turkey restoration has been a huge success. "I'm 33 and I can remember when we did not have wild turkeys." He suggests hunting the tops of wooded ridges.

Morgan-Monroe State Forest contains 23,680 acres in both Morgan and Monroe counties, off SR 37 south of Martinsville. Property manager Jim Allen or assistant manager David Ramey can be reached at (765) 342-4505. Hunters reported bagging 52 birds in Morgan County in 2003 and 48 birds in 2004. The Monroe County turkey bag was 187 in 2003 and 236 the next season.

Ferdinand State Forest, 7,657 acres, is approximately 15 miles south of Jasper (Dubois County). Manager Doug Brown can be reached at (812) 367-1524. Hunters reported taking 191 birds in 2003 and 205 birds in 2004. Brown said it would be difficult to pinpoint any area of the forest as a best place to hunt because the birds are everywhere on the property. Brown also manages nearby Pike State Forest, 2,914 acres, three miles east of the town of Winslow (enter from SR 364). Hunters took 250 birds in Pike County in 2003 and 268 birds in 2004.

Owen-Putnam State Forest, 6,245 acres, lies roughly six miles west of Spencer on SR 46 off Fish Creek Road. Manager Bill Gallogly cautions that while a good portion of this forestry property will be found at the headquarters in the town of Atkinsonville, the forest offers numerous other parcels in both Owen and Putnam counties. Maps of the forest area are available at the forest office.

Salamonie River State Forest, at 850 acres, is off SR 524, one mile south of Lagro in Wabash County. This property is managed by Salamonie Reservoir, which can be reached by calling (260) 468-2125. Hunters reported taking 52 birds in Wabash County in 2003 and 53 birds in 2004. Salamonie River State Forest proper recorded at least 17 birds last year.

Selmier State Forest's 355 acres are located two miles northeast of North Vernon in Jennings County. Rob McGriff, manager, can be reached at (812) 346-2286 for additional information on turkey hunting. He said that while birds are found in all parts of this property, the best hunting and most popular areas probably are in the southern part of the property (south of an east-west power line). Hunters reported taking 268 birds in Jennings County in 2003 and 248 birds last year.