The Southeast Region has a large amount of forestland, therefore the density in birds per square mile of forested land isn't as high as in much of central and western Kentucky; but the region's overall turkey population is in fine shape and growing.

As stated above, the primary habitat type of the region is forest, but in the western part of the area there is some agricultural land mixed in. Most of southeast Kentucky is mountainous, with the highest elevations existing in Letcher, Harlan and Bell counties. Lane says that this region should continue to see good turkey population growth due to the large amount of available forest habitat.

A large part of Daniel Boone National Forest (NF) lies within the Southeast Region and offers quality turkey hunting as does Pine Mountain WMA in Letcher County and Buckhorn Lake WMA in Perry County. Within the Pulaski and McCreary counties portion of the NF, hunters will find the 17,347-acre Beaver Creek WMA. This area is composed of forestland covering steep and rugged mountains, but for those willing to traverse the unforgiving terrain, quality turkey hunting can be found. Don't look to set up on field birds on Beaver Creek, because there are only about 150 acres of open land. To find out specifics on the area, call the KDFWR regional office at (606) 376-8083.

Though not as high as those of the Southeast Region, mountains make up the topography of most of the Northeast Region. Forests are the major habitat type, since agriculture is not very prevalent in the area. Exceptions are some of the bottomlands near the Ohio River where crops are regularly grown. Lane expects turkey populations in the Northeast Region to increase substantially in the future for the same reasons as in the Southeast, and with increasing population size should come higher harvest totals.

The Daniel Boone NF occupies substantial acreage in the Northeast Region (141,000 acres), with the area around Cave Run Lake being a great turkey producer. The 12,764-acre Yatesville Lake WMA in Lawrence County offers turkey hunters a superb chance to bag a mountain gobbler.

San Branch and the area around Cherokee consistently produce turkeys, and a midday hunter will often have the woods to himself. The mountains of Yatesville WMA aren't nearly as high or steep as those of southeast Kentucky or even those around Cave Run. As in the whole region, most of Yatesville WMA is forested, but there are openings and some fields

As in 2002, four counties had harvests of over 300 birds. Crittenden (424), Christian (378) and Livingston (328) all retained their top three rankings within the region, while Graves County (301) moved into the No. 4 slot and bumped out Caldwell County (263). Three of the far western counties (Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton) all had harvests of under 100 turkeys.

Jim Lane says that due to the heavy rains of May 2003, the hatch in the western part of the Purchase Region was probably hurt worse than anywhere else in the state. The area consists of low-lying river bottoms and floods easily. Nesting habitat in these bottoms can be submerged quickly, and that has an obvious and dramatic effect on populations in the Purchase Region.

Crittenden and Christian counties have fairly high turkey densities and retained the region's top two harvests. Hunters should concentrate on the areas least likely to flood when looking for spots that will have more consistent turkey populations every year.

The Land Between The Lakes (LBL) in Lyon and Trigg counties, and Ft Campbell in Trigg and Christian counties are among Kentucky's best public areas for turkey hunting. LBL is a diverse mix of forest, fields and agriculture. There are quota hunts on LBL before the general state season, and the area opens to all with a LBL permit on April 15.

Fort Campbell has its own set of regulations much like Fort Knox, with the season often opening in late March. Both LBL and Fort Campbell require special permits and have unique regulations. Check the KDFWR Spring Turkey Hunting Guide for correct information, or call (270) 798-2175 (Fort Campbell) or (270) 924-2000 (LBL).

The NWTF's regional director Hank Patton urges hunters to be mindful and considerate of other hunters on both public and private lands.

"As sportsmen, we all need to remember that there are other folks out there enjoying our sport. If you are on public land and someone else is already set up calling to a turkey, don't cut in and mess up his or her hunt. Go try to find another bird. On private land, stay within the boundaries of properties you have permission to hunt, and don't encroach on other ground. We as hunters need to project a positive image, and trespassing is not the way to achieve that."

The Kentucky State Chapter of the NWTF has a reward program that pays up to $500 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the illegal harvest of a wild turkey. If you are aware of baiting or any other turkey hunting violation, call KDFWR law enforcement at (800) 25-ALERT.

Once again, Kentucky turkey hunters should experience another superb spring season. The Commonwealth's turkey population has continued to grow, most notably from I-75 east, and because of the excellent hatch of 2002, hunters should hear plenty of vocal 2-year-old gobblers. Wherever you are in the Commonwealth, you can find quality turkey hunting within a short drive; so if you prepare for the coming season, put in your time and hunt hard. You, too, can be one of the many Kentucky hunters who bring home a trophy Bluegrass gobbler.