Turkey Run Wildlife Area

Turkey Run Wildlife Area is located on Osage Ave. in south central Jefferson County. The area is bounded by Cedar Creek on the north and the Van Buren county line on the south.

The original 265 acres of Turkey Run was purchased in 1974 with HCRS matching funds. Since then four different parcels of land totalling 140 acres have been purchased which increases the size of the area to 405 acres.

Turkey Run Wildlife Area is the largest public hunting area in Jefferson County.

In 1991, a five acre wetland area was developed for waterfowl habitat and a canoe access was constructed on Cedar Creek. Canoeists can put in at Turkey Run and take out 6 miles downstream at Round Prairie Park.

Turkey Run Wildlife Area is 90% timberland providing excellent wildlife habitat for wild turkey, deer, squirrels, rabbits and upland game birds. Approximately 40 acres of native prairie grass, pine tree plantings and wildlife food plots have been established in the area.

In 2004 Rob Weaver's family and friends developed (and now maintain) 6 miles of equestrian trails in the Turkey Run Wildlife Area. However, trail use is prohibited during deer and turkey hunting sesons (October through mid-January, and early April through mid-May). Limited parking space is available for trucks and horse trailers.

An eighty-yard shooting lane that can be used for target practice has been established at Turkey Run. The facility is just west of the existing parking lot.