DISTRICT 10
"The best public lands in Monroe County for turkey hunting are going to be properties managed by the Morgan-Monroe SF and the Monroe Reservoir," said Josh Griffin, a District 10 biologist. "There are a lot of places on state forest land that are excellent turkey habitat and great places to hunt. The terrain is mainly wooded hills and holds a healthy population of turkeys."

Of particular interest is that no drawing or sign-in is necessary at Morgan-Monroe, so hunters are assured a hunting spot.

Griffin's next recommendation is the Monroe Reservoir property southeast of Bloomington. About 3,000 acres of dry land accompany this well-developed reservoir and the hunting can hardly be considered wilderness, though there are turkeys. Hunters need to sign in before hunting. According to Griffin, the terrain of Monroe Reservoir is similar to the state forest with wooded hillsides that are common to much of southern Indiana.

The hunting pressure on both of these properties means that serious gobbler hunters should put in more scouting time to succeed. Being prepared to walk in farther to get off the beaten path is important. These birds are easily spooked, and it won't take hunters making too much noise to send them scampering to more secure areas. Last spring, 197 toms didn't scurry fast enough.

The number of turkeys being harvested in south-central Indiana is growing and so is the number of hunters, thanks to the DFW's reintroduction efforts.

The state forest covers 24,000 acres in Morgan and Monroe counties near Martinsville. For additional information, contact District 10 at (812) 526-4891.

DISTRICT 11
The best Hoosierland shooting can be found in the southeastern part of the state, according to biologist Chris Grauel.

"Three of the six counties in my area had some of the state's highest harvest rates in the spring of 2007," Grauel said. "Switzerland County was No. 1 with 467 gobblers, Jefferson was third with 399 and Dearborn fourth with 391."

The Splinter Ridge FWA in Switzerland County covers 2,491 acres of excellent turkey habitat. Hunters can easily find a place to call along open hayfields or set up on the steep, wooded hills.