Many areas are thick with mountain laurel and rhododendron. Boggy areas will be encountered along the bottomlands. Some areas, particularly in the Jefferson County portion of the game lands, have been timbered during the past two decades.

Game Lands No. 74 may be reached from a variety of points. The extreme western portion of the tract is a few miles from Clarion and can be reached by way of Mill Creek Road in Strattanville. A hardtop road from Strattanville to Fisher runs through the game lands about three miles further up the Mill Creek valley.

Walk-in access roads running up and down the creek provide a good means of reaching the interior of this area. There is ample parking near the bridge that crosses the creek.

A network of country roads near Fisher lead to additional points where Game Lands 74 may be accessed. Hunters will find parking at bridge crossings, and walk-in access roads that parallel the creek. These roads' bridges are spaced two to three miles apart, making it convenient to reach the interior of the game lands.

Also, enthusiastic hunters can gain enough distance from the access points to leave behind most of the other, less energetic hunters.

Mill Creek is a sizeable stream. If you plan on crossing it during your hunt, hip boots are in order.

Most amenities needed for a fall hunt in this area, including lodging, are available in Clarion.

ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST
Allegheny National Forest contains thousands of acres that are open for public recreation. Hunting is allowed on most of the property. The Salmon Creek area of the ANF has always been one a favorite for fall turkeys.

The forest is managed via two separate districts, the Bradford District and the Marienville District. The Salmon Creek valley lies in the Marienville District. A backcountry dirt road (Salmon Creek Road) runs along the valley as the creek makes its way to Tionesta Creek near Kelletville. This road runs for about nine miles along the creek, so there's plenty of room for everyone.

Turkey hunters will find moderate to steep slopes rising up from the creek valley. The timber is dominated by a mix of hardwoods and softwoods, with a few stands of conifers mixed in.

One of the best things about a Salmon Creek hunt is the availability of primitive camping sites along its banks. The best sites for setting up a camp are near roadside pull-offs. Find a vacant pull-off, and you're probably not far from a flat spot that's seen use by previous campers. A U.S. Forest Service campground is also available at Beaver Meadows near Marienville.

Salmon Creek Road is just off of Route 66 about two miles south of Marienville. Several gated forest service roads lead off Salmon Creek Road.

The USFS opens some of its gated roads for fall hunting, so check the agency's Web site for road openings prior to this fall.

STATE GAME LANDS NO. 108
SGL No. 108 is west of Glendale Lake and consists of over 20,000 acres of state game lands.

Much of SGL No. 108 consists of reverting strip-mine lands. As such, the best turkey hunting areas are confined to portions of the tract where more mature timber can be found. But because this game lands is thought of more as a place to pursue rabbits and grouse, it's often overlooked by fall turkey hunters.

State Game Lands No. 108 is one contiguous block. Within the public land, however, a portion of private property exists. The tract is east of Patton.

Nearby Prince Gallitzin State Park has a good campground that usually remains open through the major fall hunting seasons.

FORBES STATE FOREST
For hunters in southwestern Pennsylvania, Forbes State Forest provides over 50,000 acres of turkey-hunting potential. This state forest generally runs along Laurel Ridge in Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.

As you might expect from such an extensive tract, a wide variety of cover and forest age structure can be found in Forbes SF. One of the best areas for turkey hunters to key in on is near Route 711.

In addition to Forbes State Forest, SGL No. 42 borders the state forestland and adds another 14,000 acres to the fall hunting potential.

Laurel Hill State Park, which also touches the forest near here, provides even more options, with about 2,100 acres open to hunting.

Either Ligonier or Johnstown will serve as a home base for a hunt here.