Indiana turkey season is a thrilling time for many hunters looking to pursue their favorite game. With an abundance of locations spread throughout the state, hunters are spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting the best places to hunt during this season. From vast private lands to public hunting grounds, and everything in between, there are no shortage of hunting opportunities available to turkey hunters in Indiana.
To help hunters plan for the 2023 Indiana turkey season, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to hunt during this season.
1. Hoosier National Forest
The Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana is an excellent place for turkey hunting. The forest covers over 200,000 acres and offers a diverse range of habitats, including hardwood forests, rolling hills, and ravines, providing a perfect habitat for wild turkeys.
The best hunting opportunities are concentrated in the Harrison-Crawford State Forest, and hunters need to obtain an access permit to hunt. Additionally, there are also several campgrounds and primitive campsites offered throughout the national forest, making it a great destination for those who want to camp and hunt.
2. Greene-Sullivan State Forest
Located in southwestern Indiana, The Greene-Sullivan State Forest offers an excellent opportunity for hunters to get their turkey. With over 9,000 acres of public land, the forest offers a variety of hunting opportunities ranging from open grasslands to dense hardwoods.
The Morgan Ridge and Shelburn units are the prime turkey hunting areas at Greene-Sullivan State Forest. During the spring season, a total of 20 hunters are allowed per day, which is divided into two seasons: April 21-23 and April 24-26.
3. Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area
The Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area is a great place to go turkey hunting in Indiana. Established in 1994, this 22,000-acre refuge offers a diverse range of habitats such as forests, swamps, wetlands, and grasslands that provide an ideal habitat for wild turkeys.
The refuge is open for public use, including hunting, during the spring season, and hunters can take up to two birds per season. Besides turkey hunting, there are additional opportunities for waterfowl hunting, trapping, and fishing.
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge’s prime turkey hunting areas are the Anderson River Unit, which has the highest density of turkeys, and the Red Fox Unit, which provides the best opportunity for a hunter to take a big tom.
4. Forks of the Wabash Historic Park
The Forks of the Wabash Historic Park is a hidden gem tucked away in Huntington County in northern Indiana. The park has various habitats, ranging from hardwood forests to open grasslands, making it a prime location for turkey hunting.
The park is open to the public during the spring season, and hunters are allowed to take only one bird per season. However, some restrictions apply, such as using only shotguns and not using dogs when hunting turkeys in the park.
5. Clark State Forest
Located in southern Indiana, the Clark State Forest is a great place for turkey hunting. With over 23,000 acres of land, the forest offers a wide range of habitats for hunters. From rolling hills to rugged ravines, Clark State Forest has it all.
The prime turkey hunting areas at the Clark State Forest are designated as the Wilstem Unit and the Norman Ridge Unit. Each year, only fifty hunters are allowed to hunt per day during the spring season, and they are required to obtain a daily hunting permit.
6. Greene County Wildlife Management Area
The Greene County Wildlife Management Area in southwestern Indiana is a great location for turkey hunting. The area provides a variety of habitats, including oak-hickory forests, open grasslands, and wetlands, which provide excellent habitat for wild turkeys.
During the spring season, only twenty hunters are allowed per day. Prime turkey hunting locations in the area include the Raccoon Creek and Linton Units. The Greene County Wildlife Management Area is ideal for those who prefer primitive camping as it provides several primitive camping facilities.
7. Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge
Located in southeastern Indiana, the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge offers an excellent opportunity for turkey hunting. Established in 1966, this 7,800-acre wildlife refuge provides a variety of habitats such as oak-hickory forests, grasslands, and wetlands that offer an ideal habitat for turkeys.
The refuge is open to the public during the spring season, and hunters are allowed to take up to two birds per season. The prime turkey hunting locations at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge are the Myers Creek Area and the Old Timbers Unit.
Conclusion
Indiana offers a great opportunity for turkey hunting, with various prime locations for hunters to choose from. From the Hoosier National Forest in Southern Indiana to the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Southeastern Indiana, there is no shortage of options for hunters during the 2023 Indiana turkey season.
It’s important to note that hunters must obtain a turkey hunting license before hunting, and certain restrictions apply that vary by location. Regardless of where hunters choose to go turkey hunting in Indiana, the experience will be one they’ll never forget. Happy hunting!
