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| Somewhere in the middle lies the top turkey-producing counties of Snyder, Union, Mifflin and Centre. Instead of state game lands in TMA 7-A, hunters should consider Bald Eagle State Forest. The forest contains some 200,000 acres of huntable land. The terrain consists of mountain slopes with long, wide ridges and numerous ravines. Hunting Bald Eagle State Forest takes vim and vigor, but the birds are there. For more information, contact the district forester, P.O. Box 147, Laurelton 17845-0147; or call (717) 922-3344. Three state parks within Bald Eagle State Forest that offer camping. Contact them, at (888) PA-PARKS. For accommodations in the region, contact the Mifflin County Tourist Agency, 9 West Third St., Lewistown 17044; or call (717) 248-6713. TMA 4 The fifth ranking turkey hotspot belongs to TMA 4, with 1.2 gobblers. The habitat in this Northcentral Region zone is a mixture of big woods and old farms. In Sullivan County, head to the massive SGL 13, west of Williamsport. This game land consists of nearly 50,000 acres and is bordered by Route 42 on the west; Route 220 on the north; Route 487 on the east and Route 118 on the south. Accommodations are available in Willamsport. Contact the Lycoming County Tourism Agency, 454 Pine Street, Williamsport 17701; or call (800) 358-9900. For hunting information, contact the PGC Northeast Region office, Box 220, Dallas 18612; or call (877) 877-9357. Field Dressing A Wild Turkey by Mtgrumpy As we all know after the game is on the ground the real work starts. Fortunately for us Wild Turkey hunters there isn't much "work" in field dressing a turkey. It is important to preserve the meat you have just worked so hard for. To do this you must cool the game and keep it cool. The first step in doing this is to remove the internal organs. |
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| The lightly populated southern area of Erie County is rich with state game lands as is the eastern half of Crawford County. Hunters looking for something new and different this spring should consider this region. In southeastern Erie County, hunters may choose between the pocket-size SGLs 167, 162, 102, 190, 192, 263. Those six game lands around Union City and Corry total only 2,545 acres, but the habitat is rich and diverse. The first four game lands listed are northeast and northwest of Union City. Take Route 8 to reach SGLs 167, 162 and 102. For SGL 190, take the Kimble Hill Road north of Union City. SGL 192 is southwest of Le Bouf Gardens. SGL 263 is accessible from Route 6, northeast of Corry on Russel Road. In western Crawford County, hunters have a choice between SGLs 202, 85, 200, 199, 122 and 69. The first three total under 800 acres. The remaining three are much larger. SGL 199 contains 1,130 acres; SGL 122 has 2,649 acres and SGL 69 (the largest) contains over 4,300 acres. All are located west of Meadville. Because of its size, elbow room and proximity to Meadville, first-time visitors might concentrate their efforts on heavily wooded SGL 69. The core of the game lands is accessible from Meadville by going west on Route 27 to Route 198 past Gilberts Corner. For information on accommodations, contact the Crawford County Tourism Agency, 881 Water Street, Meadville 16335; or call (800) 332-2338. For Erie County, call the Erie Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1006 State St., Erie 16501; or call (814) 454-7191. For more information on TMA 1-B, contact the PGC northwest office, P.O. Box 31, Franklin 16323; or call (877) 877-0299. TMA 7-A Biologist Casalena says don't be fooled by the significant drop in gobblers posted by 7-A's fourth-place ranking. While the central Pennsylvania region recorded only 1.6 gobblers per forest square mile, this is such a large area the numbers don't tell the whole story. Across its width and breadth, 7-A includes three counties along the state's southern border then sweeps north to counties along Route 80. |
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| Remove The Internal Organs Whether it is a wild turkey or any big game animal this needs to be done as soon as you can. Following are instructions on how to do this with a wild turkey. With your fingers feel for the Point of the Breast located between the turkey's legs and insert your knife there. Make a cut between the Tail and the Point of the Breast. Make this cut from one leg to the other. Then gently pull the turkey's Back and Breast apart far enough to get your hand inside the body cavity between the intestines and back. Slip your hand in along the Back as far as you can. Grip the entrails (the lungs, liver & heart) and pull them out. The guts will follow along. You may not get it all the first time and if so you will have to try again. You must remove the heart, so if you don't see it in the pile you have removed go back in one more time. Remove the Crop, Windpipe and Esophagus Turkeys have a Crop (the place the food they eat gathers before it goes into their stomach). It is important to take this Crop out. At the turkey's neck, grab the skin where it meets the feathers. Make a cut there and split the neck open. Remove the windpipe, esophagus, and the Crop. If you are interested in seeing what your turkey is eating you can cut the Crop open and look inside. Once you have removed everything, wipe all the blood out of the body cavity or let it drip out. As soon as you can, place ice inside the body cavity and you are ready for the trip home. Once home completely wash your turkey inside and out in cold water and wrap it for freezing. Happy Hunting Mtgrumpy |
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