Wildlife and Parks staffers are reporting increased turkey sightings in many areas of Kansas as birds gather for winter roosting.

That’s good news for state turkey hunters.

All of Kansas except Unit 4 (westcentral and southwest) has legal fall hunting. Seasons run through Nov. 29, then Dec. 12-31 and Jan. 9-31.

Unit 1 (northwest) and Unit 3 (southcentral) allow one permit per hunter.

In Unit 2 (east), hunters may purchase one turkey permit and as many as three additional turkey game tags. One turkey of either sex may be taken with each permit or tag.

October offers some of the best hunting. Turkeys are in small groups, with many young birds that never have been hunted. Often, a hunter can stalk the birds or break up a group, then hide and call them back.

Public wildlife areas and Walk-In Hunting Area lands often hold large numbers of turkeys in October before hunting pressure moves them to private land.