A few other tracts also have waterfowl tracts, but these locations are open after March 15.

The Peabody WMA presents great opportunities for turkey hunters, but pre-season scouting is a necessity due to the unique terrain. A user permit is required and can be purchased wherever Kentucky hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Although the land is rugged in places, the abundance of water has helped establish turkeys within this acreage. Locating roosting sites is a good approach in this area.

Remember that when scouting an area, it’s best not to call to the gobblers. The turkeys will become wary when exposed to pre-season calling. But don’t worry about spooking the turkeys simply by walking through their feeding and roosting grounds.

Though gobbler calling is not recommended, owl hoots or crow calls in the evening can help locate roosting sites during your scouting trips. Hike or drive to high-ground regions and try the owl or crow calls for a response.

Gobblers are ordinarily quieter in the evenings, yet such calls will bring out these birds’ fighting instincts, and you’ll often hear a response.

For more information on access to and maps of the Peabody region, as well as advice on where to hunt at this WMA, write or call the KDFWR in Frankfort.

PENNYRILE
STATE FOREST
Another west Kentucky public turkey land is the 15,468-acre Pennyrile State Forest in Christian County, offering quality wild turkey habitat,

Eight miles south of Dawson Springs, the Pennyrile SF offers an additional opportunity for turkey hunters in the form of Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, where food, lodging, camping and other recreational facilities are available.

Pennyrile, as its names suggests, is primarily forested, hilly terrain with many roads and trails throughout the region. Scouting a turkey habitat like Pennyrile makes for an ideal opportunity to combine a family outing with turkey scouting.

Hiking the woodlands during these pre-season outings offers plenty of fun for the whole family while the turkey hunter has ample opportunity to find turkey sign.

This also allows the sportsman to educate future hunters in what to look for concerning wild turkeys. The difference between a juvenile male -- a jake -- and a mature gobbler is a good distinction to teach.

When young people hear the word “beard,” they automatically think of the red-pinkish area around a tom’s head and throat. Instead, teach them to look for the clump of long, coarse beard hair on the front of the gobbler’s breast. That’s a good way to acquire help in spotting toms while out scouting.