Pineville - With the first day of spring just around the corner, hunters know that turkey season is fast approaching. This year the dates for turkey hunting in Kisatchie National Forest (KNF) are March 24 – April 8 on Caney Ranger District. All other KNF lands including Catahoula and Red Dirt National Wildlife Management Preserves are March 24 – April 15.

“Hunting in Kisatchie National Forest is the number one recreational use,” explained, Mike Balboni, KNF Forest Supervisor, “Our forest has a vibrant and thriving wildlife population, we encourage hunters to utilize national forest lands for some of the best turkey hunting available in the state.”

For more information about hunting in the Kisatchie National Forest call the KNF Supervisor’s Office at (318) 473-7160 or visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website www.wlflouisiana.gov for the 2012 Louisiana turkey hunting regulations.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest research organization in the world.