WASHINGTON COUNTY
Washington County ranks 15th in spring gobbler average harvests. Region 5, which includes the eastern Adirondacks extending north to the St. Lawrence Valley, has just one standout spring gobbler county. There is one major public land with good wild turkey prospects here: Batten Kill State Forest. This 983-acre area features steep terrain covered by mostly hardwoods forest. It is about an hour from the Albany area by way of Route 7 east, Route 22 north, and then northeast along Route 313 from Cambridge.

Information about local services is available from the Washington County Information and Tourism Office, County Municipal Center, 383 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828; call (888) 203-8622, (518) 747-5343, or e-mail the office at tourisminfo@washingtoncounty.org.

OTSEGO-DELAWARE COUNTIES
Otsego and Delaware counties rank fourth and fifth in annual spring gobbler kills. In Delaware County, Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area has 7,186 acres of hilly forest with a good mix of habitat for wild turkeys.

Approaching from the Albany area, take I-88 west to Oneonta, state Route 357 west to Franklin, county Road 21 south to Walton, and then state Route 206 south three miles to the wildlife management area.

Visiting hunters can get local information from the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, 114 Main St., Delhi, NY 13753; call (800) 642-4443; e-mail info@delawarecounty.org

DUTCHESS COUNTY
Dutchess County leads the Region 3 counties in average spring gobbler harvests, ranking ninth in the state followed by Orange County. Ulster and Sullivan counties have respectable spring gobbler takes. Certainly the best hunting is on private land. Expect a lot of hunting pressure on most public lands. Check out the Neversink Unique Area for a, well, unique experience. It is in southeastern Sullivan County, south of state Route 17 along County Road 101 (Cold Spring Road).

The terrain in this 6,596-acre area includes a steep gorge and two large waterfalls. Best known for its remote trout fishing, the area also has a decent wild turkey population.

Several special rules must be followed. Parking is allowed only at designated parking areas. Access is allowed only from a one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Camping and fires are not allowed.

Before hunting here, send for a brochure with a map and other rules from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 3 office, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561-1696.

For more about turkey hunting in New York, including regulations, contact the NYSDEC, 50 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12233-4754; or call (51) 457-4480.

For more about travel in New York, contact the NYS 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.