RAYSTOWN COUNTRY
Mention Raystown Lake at this time of year, and most sportsmen conjure up images of a fall striped bass bite. But the forested hillsides surrounding Raystown Lake provide hunters in central Pennsylvania with plenty of room to hunt fall turkeys.

Under jurisdiction of the Baltimore District, U.S. Corps of Engineers, the property surrounding the lake is divided into nine separate areas.

You can see detailed views of each of these areas by visiting the U.S. Corps of Engineers' Web site at www.raystown.nab.usace.army.mil LandManagement/huntingareas.htm.

Click on segments of the map to see individual hunting areas and the access each provides. The overall property runs from below the lake near Huntingdon south to Saxton.

Of particular note on the Raystown tract is the Special Needs Program, which allows disabled hunter's access through gated roads. The first requirement is a Disabled Hunting Permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

To obtain additional details, visit the Corps Web site noted above.

Nearby Huntingdon provides a host services for the traveling hunter, as do facilities within the Raystown Lake community.

SUSQUEHANNOCK STATE FOREST
For generations, the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania have been touted as "God's County." While the area may no longer have the same allure for deer hunters, there's plenty of reason to visit this region for fall turkeys. Susquehannock State Forest is one good option in an area blessed with public land.

"Last year, hens came into breeding season in good physical condition -- the result of a less-demanding winter -- and consequently, sustained average to above-average recruitment." -- Mary Jo Casalena, of the Pennsylvania Game Commission

Susquehannock SF lies in Clinton and Potter counties. The 85-mile Susquehannock Loop Trail winds through the tract, providing a means of access from various points. About 4,000 acres exist where properly permitted special-needs hunters may access the forest through gated roads with an all-terrain vehicle.

Lodging may be found in Coudersport. Smaller towns such as Wharton, Oleana and Galeton provide limited services.

BALD EAGLE STATE FOREST
In central Pennsylvania, fall turkey hunters should consider a visit to Bald Eagle State Forest. The forest also boasts 13 stocked trout streams, so you should save enough time to check out one of these creeks for leftover trout.

Access to the interior of Bald Eagle State Forest is good. Numerous hiking trails are found there. A network of roads also bisects the tract.

Hunters looking to find a more secluded hunt should check out the Hook Natural Area. Over 5,000 acres are provided, which are open to walk-in hunters only. The White Mountain Natural Area adds another 3,500 acres.

Long Path Trail furnishes access this area. Hunters will find services near Bald Eagle State Forest in Loch Haven.

ELK STATE FOREST
This extensive state forest provides another good option for hunters from the north-central part of the state or visiting there. With some 200,000 acres, Elk State Forest is found in Elk and Cameron counties.

Elk State Forest provides something for turkey hunters of every level of interest and physical ability. One can find easy access to spots with good turkey potential close to the road. Those looking to get away from things may find the Quehanna Wilderness Area more to their liking.

No motorized vehicles are permitted within the Quehanna portion of the tract, which contains over 48,000 acres. The towns of St. Marys and Emporium provide a host of services and amenities.

WEISER STATE FOREST
In the southeastern portion of the state, public lands for fall turkey hunting in the Harrisburg area include Weiser State Forest. Comprised of eight separate parcels, Weiser totals nearly 18,000 acres of state forestland, much of which provides wild turkey habitat.

Tracts of Weiser State Forest are in northern Dauphin, Schuylkill, Carbon and Berks counties. This heavily forested tract contains about 65 miles of roads that provide access to potential hunting areas. The Appalachian Trail also runs through Weiser State Forest.