MORGAN HILL STATE FOREST
Central New York deer hunters are well acquainted with the public hunting opportunities at Morgan Hill, but the 5,560 acres of this hill country forest, ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet in elevation, are also a good bet for turkeys.

The forest cover is mostly native hardwoods and hemlock, but a large percentage is conifer plantations established more than 50 years ago.

At first glance, this may not appear to be high-quality turkey habitat. But active timber harvesting and firewood-cutting operations are improving the forest for both turkeys and deer, and recent skidder trails improve access for hunters. Additionally, there are about 14 miles of seasonal roads on the forest, plus five miles of marked foot trails.

During the last 20 years, DEC researchers have developed a computer model based on nesting-season weather that predicts fall hunting success with 95 percent accuracy.

Morgan Hill State Forest is on the Cortland-Onondaga county line about 25 miles southeast of Syracuse. The best access is from Interstate Route 81, Exit 14, at Tully. Proceed east on state Route 80 for about five miles, and then turn south on Shackham Road to the forest.

Morgan Hill Road, north from Route 13 (the junction is one? mile east of the hamlet of Truxton), runs through the center of the forest, but does not continue directly to Route 80.

PHARSALIA WMA
The site of pioneering wildlife management projects in the state, Pharsalia WMA's 4,625 acres in Chenango County are today surrounded by several state forests that, combined, provide enough turkey-hunting opportunities to last most hunters all month.

The terrain here is generally flat, with gentle slopes and shallow ravines. The WMA is largely forested with beech, maple, hemlock, cherry, aspen, and the usual conifer plantations and shrubby open areas. Management operations are aimed at maintaining a diverse habitat, including mowing and timber cutting.