Rugged hills are covered by hardwood forest with hemlock thickets in some valleys and a few scattered pines. Expect to do some steep climbing. Elevations range from about 1,400 feet to more than 2,100 feet. The tops of the ridges are generally the best places for calling gobblers, but don’t overlook the finger ridges. Walk along the ridgetops, stopping to call from each side, until a gobbler answers.

Follow Route 219 south from Buffalo to Interstate Route 86 West. From Rochester, drive south on Interstate Route 390 to I-86 west. Take Exit 17 from I-86 between Salamanca and Jamestown and follow Onoville Road south. Turn right on Bone Run Road, Sawmill Run Road or Brown Run Road and watch for signs to access the public land. In some places, state forest tracts bordering the road are narrow strips, but the borders widen away from the roads.

For local information, contact the Cattaraugus County Tourism office, 303 Court Street, Little Valley, NY 14755; or call (800) 331-0543.

North Harmony State Forest is in Chautauqua County near the village of Panama. From the Buffalo area, take Interstate Route 90 west to Westfield, and then follow Route 394 east to Route 30 at Chautauqua. Turn right onto Wall Street Road to the state forest. Several dirt roads pass through the area. Watch for signs marking the public land.

This area covers 2,561 acres. The state forest is shaped irregularly, with a couple of private tracts that are surrounded by state land and others that are bordered on three sides by public land.

The terrain is mostly gently rolling, but there are a few steep slopes. Most of the habitat is hardwood forest, with reverting farmland and some hemlock stands on wetter ground. Much of the surrounding private land is agricultural.

For information about local services, contact the Chautauqua-Allegheny Region tourism office, Route 394, Main Gate Welcome Center, Chautauqua, NY 14722; or call (800) 242-4569.

For more information about turkey hunting in New York, including regulations updates, contact the NYSDEC, 50 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12233-4754; or call (518) 457-4480.

For more details about travel services in New York, contact the New York State Division of Tourism (N. America Group Travel), Empire State Development, Empire State Plaza, Concourse Level, Room 110, Albany, NY 12223; or call (800) CAL-LNYS, Ext. 47624.