While you are scouting in the region, also check out Stoney Pond State Forest about 1.5 miles to the northeast, or Marrow Mountain State Forest, less than a mile to the southeast.

For information about local services, contact the Madison County Tourism office, P.O. Box 1029, Morrisville, NY 13408; or call (800) 684-7320.

WESTERN REGION

One good bet is the Lake Shore Marshes Wildlife Management Area, which consists of several separate tracts that cover a total of 6,179 acres in northeastern Wayne County between Sodus Bay and Fair Haven, roughly midway between Syracuse and Rochester along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The various tracts are accessible from several roads north of Route 104. From Rochester, drive east on Route 104. From Syracuse, take Route 481 northwest to Route 3, and then go west to Route 104.

Better known for its waterfowl hunting, this area also holds a good turkey population that is not widely known. The terrain is drumlin, rolling sand and gravel hills. About half is hardwoods forest, the other half mostly wetlands in various stages that can complicate walking.

Get information about local services from the Wayne County Office of Tourism, 9 Pearl Street, Lyons, NY 14489; or call (800) 527-6510.

Steuben County ranked seventh in the state last year with a take of 786 spring gobblers. It probably would be more difficult to get out of good turkey habitat on public lands than to find it here.

The Erwin Wildlife Management Area is about five miles west from Corning. From Interstate Route 86, take Exit 42 at Coopers Plains, and then follow Smith Hill Road. It passes through the northwestern tip of the public land. A left turn here will take you through the heart of the area.

Terrain is hilly on this 2,490-acre tract. Habitat is primarily hardwoods with some conifers. There is periodic logging, and some openings are maintained for wildlife.

Erwin Mountain State Forest borders a small section of the Erwin Wildlife Management Area, which is separated from the rest by Beartown Road, which starts at Gang Mills. This adds 507 acres of contiguous public land.

Information about local services is available from the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau, 5 West Market Street, Second Floor, Corning, NY 14830; or call (866) 946-3386.

Without a doubt, the best turkey hunting in New York is in Region 9. Using the new calculated spring gobbler harvest figures, which certainly are more accurate than the old system of just summarizing numbers from hunter reports, Chautauqua County led the state last spring with 1,096 gobblers. Erie County was fourth with 921 gobblers, and Cattaraugus County was fifth with 888 gobblers.

Virtually every state forest and wildlife management area in these counties has good turkey hunting. Coyle Hill State Forest in Allegany County is an interesting mix of rugged terrain where you can generally find some elbowroom. It covers 2,343 acres of Allegheny Highlands hills.

The habitat is mixed hardwoods forest in various stages of maturity, thanks to periodic cutting. There are some thick, brushy areas and conifer stands. Agriculture occupies some of the surrounding area.

This state forest is north of Interstate Route 86 between Hornell and Cuba. Exit onto Route 19 north, and then take an immediate left and follow a winding dirt road to the public land.

Get information about local services by contacting Allegany County Tourism (Chautauqua-Allegany), County Office Bldg., Room 208, 7 Court Street, Belmont, NY 14813; or call (800) 836-1869.

South Valley State Forest covers 4,191 acres in southern Cattaraugus County. This is an oddly shaped public land with many angles in the boundary, which makes access to some places confusing. Because of this, you can find places that are hunted lightly. There is no better place for a gobbler hunter who knows how to use a GPS unit.