All general state hunting rules and regulations apply on federal lands. The Wayne National Forest Web site at www.fs.fed.us/r9/wayne provides useful information as well as the opportunity to order maps. Zaleski/Shawnee State Forests

At 26,827 acres, Zaleski is the second-largest of our state forests, behind only Shawnee in sheer size. It harbors excellent numbers of turkeys, said Swanson, who noted that Athens County is among the top turkey-producing counties statewide.

Zaleski SF covers a patchwork of rough-and-tumble acres in Vinton and Athens counties. Access is from state routes 56, 278 and 677 and U.S. Route 50.

Shawnee State Forest in Scioto and Adams counties covers 63,747 acres and also supports excellent numbers of birds. Getting elbowroom is no problem here, though hunting pressure can be an issue. There is still an excellent chance for a successful hunt.

Access to Shawnee SF is from state Route 125 off U.S. Route 52 near Portsmouth.

MORE HOTSPOTS
Swanson said that a number of ODOW wildlife areas are also good for spring turkey hunting. The Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area in Jackson County, Waterloo WA in Athens County and Wolf Creek WA in Morgan County are among his top picks. It’s the good numbers of turkeys that draw praise from Swanson. Athens and Jackson counties are consistently among the top producers of spring gobblers.

Contact the ODOW’s District Four office at (740) 589-9930 for additional information.

SOUTHWESTERN OHIO
“The Tranquility, Spring Valley, Caesar Creek and Paint Creek wildlife areas all have good populations of turkeys,” said Brett Beatty, assistant wildlife management supervisor in Ohio’s Wildlife District Five.

“Over the last 10 years, the population of birds has leveled out,” Beatty said. “Five years ago, we had a booming population. But some rough spring weather the last few years had poult survival below what we’d hoped for.

“A lot of factors affect a turkey population from year to year,” Beatty added. “One factor is the availability of food. Two years ago, the Division of Wildlife began conducting acorn mast surveys on our wildlife areas, and the first year showed a high percentage of trees that were producing acorns. Acorn production is cyclic -- some years are a boom, while others are a bust. In 2006, there was still good production, but not as good as in 2005. Lower-production years can have an impact on a lot of wildlife, including turkeys.

“Weather is another factor affecting our turkey flocks,” said Beatty. “Cold, wet springs are hard on chicks, and harsh weather affects poult survival rates.”

Tranquility Wildlife Area
According to Beatty, the Tranquility Wildlife Area probably has the highest number of gobblers and offers the best chance at a bird in his district. The area covers 4,254 acres, with good turkey habitat that includes steep ridges dominated by oak and hickory forest as well as dense stands of red cedar and underbrush.

State Route 770 provides access to the area, which is 16 miles south of Hillsboro.

Paint Creek Wildlife Area
Next in line for numbers of wild birds is the Paint Creek Wildlife Area, said Beatty. The area is south of Greenfield in Highland and Ross counties and covers 5,090 acres. Hunters may gain access off state routes 138 and 753.