In one of most anticipated WTAE Channel 4 stories all year, Team 4 investigator Jim Parsons will tell you the best local hunting spots.

Parsons talks with game wardens, scientists and other experts to pinpoint the places hunters are most likely to bag a buck.

In choosing this year's top hunting spots, two major factors were considered: that areas in western Pennsylvania that are still underhunted and where the food sources are plentiful.

And it just so happens that both factors overlap.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission's fall food survey shows above average conditions this year in only one section of southwestern Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, but also in Greene, Washington and Beaver counties, which are known as Wildlife Management Unit 2a.

Unit 2a is the only wildlife management unit in the entire state that saw an increase last year in the number of deer harvested, a 7 percent jump. The experts said that increase is due to Washington and Greene counties being crowded with deer, but not with hunters.

"We still have way too many deer in Greene County, Washington County, probably the most populated counties in the state for deer," said Wildlife Conservation officer Rod Burns. "So, we want more hunters."

Game Commission Land Management Supervisor Barry Zaffuto said he's even advised his family members to abandon their long-time hunting spots north of Interstate 80 and head for Greene County.

"If it's good enough for my family, it's good enough to tell the public about," said Zaffuto.

Here are western Pennsylvania's Top 10 Hunting Spots for 2006.

No. 1

State Game Land 223 off Interstate 79 in Greene County

"(A) lot of guys haven't been hunting it in the last few years," said Wildlife Conservation officer Randy Crago. "If you get back in away from the road, there's a lot of hollows, thick stuff, and that's where they're going to bed down if nobody's bothering them in there."

No. 2

The woods behind the Greene County Airport

This is county-owned land and you have to be careful about getting too close to the runway or the housing development that's being built, but it's a great spot.

"There's some really nice bucks in there," said Burns. "I've seen several this year. I just had one run into my truck."

No. 3

State Game Land 245 in southwestern Washington County

This was one of our top picks last year, and Zaffuto heard from one hunter who called to say thanks. He said he and his friends saw deer everywhere.

"He called to say that they found a new place to hunt, and they were going to spend more time there," said Zaffuto. "They were very excited."

No. 4

Hillman State Park, near Bavington, Washington County

The park lies between State Game Land 117 to the south and Raccoon Creek State Park to the north.

"That would be an area that could warrant some exploration, and its accessibility to a lot of the population mass is pretty good too," said Zaffuto.

No. 5

State Game Land 302 on the Washington-Greene county line

"Doesn't get a lot of pressure," said deputy officer Harry Gillispie. "People don't want to get out and walk. I've seen some nice deer there."

No. 6

Butler County in and around State Game Land 95, where several big bucks have been spotted recently. No. 7

State Game Land 262 in northeast Indiana County

No. 8

Allegheny County

There are a lot of deer again this year and large racks have been reported. But finding a legal place to hunt is always tough.

No. 9

Raccoon Creek State Park, where some new acreage has just been made available for hunting

No. 10

State Game Land 296 on the Fayette-Westmoreland county line

Now, here are a few places we recommend you do not hunt this year:

State Game Land 42 in Westmoreland County doesn't have the number of deer it did a few years ago. Stay away.

Also, avoid Somerset County, because the health of the deer and their habitat is listed as poor this year.

And don't forget to stay safe.

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