This state game lands has steep and densely forested ridges, along with the narrow cut of Locust Creek, while the forest and the state park contain more rolling fields.

You won't find much agriculture or field crops at the eastern end of this very narrow bottomland, but at its western end the land is more open and cultivated.

GREENE COUNTY
Local hunter Dale Kotowski of Waynesburg said Greene County is a standout for spring gobbler season.

"Hunters are coming in from Ohio and West Virginia because it is so good here," he said.

Greene County is a largely rural county with moderately rolling terrain, plenty of agricultural activity and a surprising amount of public land, particularly state game lands. The county contains a nice mix of streams and woods, and the habitat is perfect for turkeys.

SGL 179 in the southwestern part of the county is a prime example of the county's excellent turkey-hunting land. With 5,325 acres, SGL 179 contains rolling woods and grasslands with two nice tributary streams -- Blockhouse Run and Job Creek -- on different tracts. The game lands is northeast of Triumph along Route 18.

A substantial amount of farming is done in this area with fields often planted in corn and soy.

Parts of SGL 179 are a little tricky to find because the network of township roads that weave through the land follow the topography and straight lines. From Triumph, take state Route 3007 northeast and you'll find a good number of parking areas. Another part of SGL 179 is east of Pine Bank along T-379. This section is graced with another tributary, Roberts Run, and is close to the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border.

SGL 223 in the east-central part of Greene County is larger than most game lands. With 7,202 acres, this public land is typical of the terrain below Route 2: rolling, heavily farmed, interspersed with small villages and rich with turkeys.

SGL 223 runs roughly between I-79 and the village of Ceylon south of Route 21. Baileys Crossroads on Route 21 is the main access point.

To get there from Baileys Crossroads, take state Route 2017 into the game lands. Also, T-632 cuts through the western half. Though it appears close enough to permit access, you can't park your vehicle on I-79 and expect to make your way into the game lands.

SGL 223 will take time to explore, but there are plenty of well-marked parking areas on this public land. While this is a big chunk of public land, it is not a difficult hunt. Frequently, the parking areas are close to the woods where a turkey hunter can shock gobble or crow call to sound a bird.

WASHINGTON COUNTY
It's worth exploring every game lands in the southwest corner of the state because this region has such a good population of turkeys.

SGL 302 lies on the border of Washington and Greene counties and contains the kind of rolling terrain that is predominant in this region. It is smaller than many public lands farther south, but 915-acre SGL 302 is still a fine place to hunt turkeys.

The game lands is west of Burdette along Enlow Fork and is easily accessible from Waynesburg. Take Route 21 to Graysville and follow the Graysville-West Finley Road to Burdette. Turn left at the first bridge after Burdette. This road goes directly into SGL 302.

To the south in Green County, Ryerson Station State Park is a good base for visiting turkey hunters. The 1,164-acre park has nearly 50 campsites and additional cottages. For more information, call (724) 428-4254.

Still in the southwest area of the state within good turkey habitat is SGL 232. Close to the Ohio border, this public land contains fewer than 1,200 acres, but it is surrounded by farms and field crops.

SGL 232 is south of Claysville and east of Route 231. State Route 3025 cuts along the southwestern portion of this public land.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information, contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at (717) 787-4250 or visit the agency's Web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us. For trip planning ideas, call (800) VISIT PA.