Pennsylvania's top-rated public lands offer plenty of room to roam and high populations of mature birds to pursue. Photo by Mike Bleech.

Anticipation is running high for another good gobbler season in Pennsylvania this year. Though a change in the bag limit is still under consideration, it's still a one-bird game in the Keystone State for 2005.

Spring gobbler hunters have been harvesting upward of 40,000 birds per season for several years now and, to date, game officials have not said anything that might forecast a different outcome. Three years ago, the state had one of the best spring poulting seasons ever, and biologists believe there will be plenty of trophy toms in the field this season.

About 225,000 hopeful hunters will head into the woods for the 2005 spring season and their success will depend on the area they choose to hunt, the weather and their level of hunting experience.

Here's a look at some of the best places to go for great spring turkey hunting in Pennsylvania this season:

MONROE COUNTY
Based on the success of last year's nesting season, one area where expectations are high is Monroe County.

According to Pete Sussenbach, a regional wildlife conservation officer, poult production appears to be excellent throughout Monroe County.

"I am still seeing hens accompanied by as many as eight juveniles," Sussenbach said last summer. "We had a warm, dry spring, which has helped the birds out tremendously."

Stretching from Stroudsburg in the southeast to the twin state parks of Goldsboro and Tobyhanna in the northwest, Monroe County is a diverse county with dense woodland and some agricultural terrain. Most of the agricultural activity takes place on the eastern side of the county, particularly the floodplains along the Delaware River.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area begins around the Northampton County line and stretches to the northeast through Pike County. Within one-half mile of this narrow farm belt the hills rise abruptly, and Monroe County's heaviest woods begin. After that, there's not much public land until you enter Price and Barrett townships, where the bonanza of public grounds really begins.

State Game Lands 221 is west of Mountainhome along Mill Creek. Containing more than 4,600 acres, SGL 221 is prime woodland and ridge habitat with good accessibility from both the east and west sides.

To reach SGL 221, take Route 196 north from Mount Pocono or Route 390 south from Mountainhome to Cresco and state Route 1008.

Situated in the northeastern quadrant of Monroe County, SGL 127 is an excellent site for spring turkey hunting. Containing 25,527 acres, SGL 127 has heavy woodlands, wetlands and enough private gardens to keep the turkey flock happy and well fed throughout the year.

SGL 127 is one of the most accessible state game lands in the Pocono Mountains. It's on Route 423 between Lake Naomi and features miles and miles of frontage. Many pull-offs along the curvy, dilapidated highway puts hunters into prime habitat on either side of the road.

Though this is ridge land, the land on either side of Route 423 is flat for a considerable distance and there are numerous trails that start at parking lots and near small bridges that cross Tobyhanna Creek and Kistler Run. A note of caution: These game lands were once the shooting grounds of the nearby Tobyhanna Military Reservation. The PGC has posted signs warning of unexploded ordinance and stating that hunters should keep to established trails.

The bulk of SGL 127 is west of I-380, but there is a very nice section east of the highway next to the Dressler Hill development piece that is often neglected. In addition, Tobyhanna State Park is at the top of Monroe County and provides an additional 5,000 acres of huntable ground. Don't neglect this park. It contains a sizable amount of marginal wetland, and in the last few years the trails around the upper end of the park have been greatly improved.

SULLIVAN COUNTY
There is nothing unlucky about SGL 13 in Sullivan County. On the contrary, this massive public hunting area contains over 49,500 acres and is an extraordinary place to go for spring turkey hunting.

East Branch and West Branch Fishing Creek weaves in and around SGL 13. For considerable distances around these excellent trout streams, the land is flat and lightly wooded. However, SGL 13 is mountainous in places and these are not short, level top ridges. The Allegheny peaks here are steep and long.

SGL 13 is a forested treasure with both ancient pines and second- and third-growth forest. The flat land has abundant trails and even the high grounds have trails cut by mountain bikers.

One great place to begin a hunt on the southern side of SGL 13 is north of Benton. Take Route 118 to state Route 4049 (Elk Grove Road) and then turn right at Jamison Road. This road becomes Grassy Hollow Road and ends at a gate on SGL 13. From there, a trail winds for many miles around East Branch Fishing Creek.

There is a lot more to SGL 13 than this mountainous section. East of Route 220 and Laporte is a less challenging area. The headwaters of Muncy Creek and its various tributaries run through this parcel.

A good way to access this area is to take Route 220 to state Route 2002 and Nordmont, and then follow state Route 2006 (Glass Creek Road) into the game lands. SGL 13 can be an enormous puzzle, but once you learn its nuances, it may become one of your favorite turkey-hunting grounds in the state.

Nearby Ricketts Glen State Park, 30 miles north of Bloomsburg on Route 487, has 120 tent and trailer campsites, some available year 'round, and 10 modern rental cabins. Also, there are a number of motels in the area.