Most of the areas cover more than 2,500 acres, providing hunters with ample room to pursue wild turkeys. The areas vary from virtual swamps in the southeast to the most rugged, mountainous terrain in Missouri. Regardless of which walk-in area a hunter selects, he or she should be prepared for a rigorous hunt.

Birds that gobble nearby may require a difficult two-mile hike just to circle a steep hollow to get into position to work the tom. Getting into good physical shape and breaking in new boots beforehand are two very basic necessities before taking on the rigors of walk-in turkey hunting.

In addition to the 22 designated walk-in turkey hunting areas, eight federally designated wilderness areas, totaling another 70,000 acres, are available on U.S. Forest Service lands in eight counties.

Access to hunting areas is a growing problem in many states. Not so in Missouri. A vast network of state, county and Forest Service roads serve the needs of hunters well. These roads are usually well maintained and seldom require four-wheel drive vehicles. Parking lots are available. However, all roads, trails and fire lanes inside the boundaries of the walk-in turkey hunting areas have been closed to vehicles.

A comprehensive list of all the walk-in turkey hunting areas and the wilderness areas, as well as accompanying maps, can be acquired by calling the Mark Twain Forest office in Rolla at (573) 364-4621.

BELL MOUNTAIN WA
Named for a pioneer family of hardscrabble farmers, Bell Mountain Wilderness Area consists of 9,027 acres of the rugged St. Francois Mountains, one of the oldest landforms in the United States. At 1,702 feet, Bell Mountain itself is one of the tallest in the Ozarks. Elevations drop to 970 feet in the Joe’s Creek drainage. The terrain is rugged and steep and characterized by felsite and rhyolite outcroppings. Incredible views of the surrounding countryside are benefits of climbing Bell and Lindsey Mountains.

The area is close to St. Louis and can be accessed from Potosi via state Route 21 south to state Route 32. Go west on Route 32 for seven miles to state Route A. The first trailhead and parking lot is two miles down Forest Road 2228. A second parking lot and trailhead is about five miles south of Route 32.

There are 12 miles of trails, including a loop of the Ozark Trail, maintained on the area. The trails give turkey hunters quick and easy access to the bowels of the area. Hunters should keep in mind, however, that firearms may not be discharged within 100 yards of the trails.