Turkeycock Mountain Wildlife Management Area

Elevation: 1245ft.

Turkeycock Mountain Wildlife Management Area stretches along the ridge of Turkeycock Mountain, providing several miles of rough gravel roads and numerous paths into this relatively dense hardwood forest. The dense forests sometimes make wildlife somewhat difficult to see. Larger species such as wild turkey and white-tailed deer make themselves visible only when they come in to the open along the roadsides or larger paths. However, a quiet listener can have an easier time finding the smaller birds since they are readily heard in the forest. Bird species found in the area include eastern wood-pewee, great-crested flycatcher, blue jay, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, blue-gray gnatcatcher, wood thrush, red-eyed vireo, ovenbird, scarlet tanager, eastern towhee, and American goldfinch. The edges of the pond located on the western end of the WMA are worth checking for sunning eastern painted and eastern river cooter turtles as well as skulking ebony jewelwings. Spicebush swallowtails can often be found in sunspots scattered along the road.

Notes:

• To Access the Site: A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
• This site may be closed during certain times of year for hunting or land management. See seasonal access information on the Turkeycock WMA website.
• If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange/pink for safety.