Numerous roads normally gated are opened to deer hunters. Check the Allegheny National Forest's Web page for a listing of these roads.

Just about anything you want to know about Allegheny National Forest can be found at their Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny.

You can also write to Allegheny National Forest, P.O. Box 847, Warren, PA 16365; or call (814) 723-5150.

SGL NO. 24
For bowhunting in Forest County, one of the better areas is State Game Lands No. 24, which lies in the southern part of the county midway between Marienville and Tionesta. Muzette Road (state Route 3004) runs through the northern tip of the game lands between Roses, which is south of Marienville on state Route 66 and Newmansville, which is south of Tionesta on state Route 36. A few back roads touch the edges of this game land. Allow at least a half day to scout these roads. The interior is accessible only on foot or by mountain bike.

SGL No. 24 is heavily forested with hardwoods, with several hemlock thickets along moist slopes. It covers about 8,389 acres.

Maps are available on the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Web site, www.pgc.state.pa.us. Click on "State Game Lands," then on "pdf maps."

COOK STATE FOREST
Perhaps the county's best camping option is at Cook Forest State Park. If you approach from the east on I-80, exit onto state Route 36 and follow it to the park. Coming from the west on I-80, exit onto state Route 66. Follow it north to state Route 36, and then into the park.

Get more park information by contacting the Cook Forest State Park office, P.O. Box 120, Cooksburg, PA 16217. You can call (814) 744-8407; or check the agency's Web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/cookforest/aspx.

To learn more about bowhunting in Forest County, contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Northwest Region office, P.O. Box 31, Franklin 16323; or call (814) 432-3188.

Local information is available from Northwest Pennsylvania's Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, 175 Main Street, Brookville, PA 15825; or call 1-800-348-9393.