Narragansett Bay is always a good public hunting access area, especially when inland waters begin to freeze, which may occur in early December. This spot includes the Warwick area at Conimicut Point, Green Island and Rock Island. Boat ramps are around Narragansett Bay, but a good choice for Conimicut Point is the small sand launch at the end of Shawomet Avenue. A better ramp is off Narragansett Parkway, south of Rock Island. Wickford Harbor is another good hunting option with access off Route 1 southwest of Kingston.

For details, see DeLorme's Connecticut/Rhode Island Atlas & Gazetteer, maps 68 and 72.

For additional waterfowling information, contact the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management at (401) 789-0281 or type in www.dem.ri.gov.

MASSACHUSETTS
While numbers of migrant geese are difficult to predict, the resident goose numbers have been very high in recent years. Biologists have pegged the number of non-migrants in Massachusetts at over 35,000 birds.

The only area open to Massachusetts' goose hunters in November is the Coastal Zone, which was open last year from Nov. 23 through Jan. 17. Daily bag limit here is two birds.

The only area open to Massachusetts' goose hunters in November is the Coastal Zone, which was open last year from Nov. 23 through Jan. 17.

Massachusetts demarcates its Coastal Zone as "eastward and southward of the Central Zone line to the coast." A detailed, paragraph-long description of the zone is available on the MassWildife Web site, www.mass.gov/dfwele, listed under the 2007-2008 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations link.

The two most reliable public access hunting hotspots in the Coastal Zone are the Salisbury Marsh and the Parker Wildlife Refuge areas.

The Parker River site is divided into A, B and C sections, each with its own restrictions. Area A is attainable by boat only from the refuge boat ramp (vehicles and trailers must be parked in Lot 1) opposite Lot 1 or from off-refuge sites.

When planning a hunt, consult a tide chart because this launch may be inaccessible at low water, especially on a moon tide.

Area B may be accessed by boat from either the refuge ramp or off-refuge sites. For hunters without a boat, it's legal to walk into Area B from Lot 8 at Newbury Neck Road and Marsh Avenue. Gunning is allowed only within the posted "Hunting Area" signs. Reach Area B from Lot 8 one-third mile to the left of the trail's end. Hunters must set a minimum of six goose decoys and hunt within 50 yards of them. Jump shooting is not allowed.

Nelson's Island, also called Area C, may be accessed by foot only. Use Lot 9 off Stackyard Road for parking. Hunting is not permitted within 150 feet of the lot. Be sure to call for more information on current regulations, maps and conditions before hunting either Parker River or Salisbury Park. Hunters may view the area in Map 19 of DeLorme's Massachusetts Atlas & Gazetteer.

For state waterfowling regulations, log onto the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Web site or call (508) 792-7270. For directions, maps, regulations and local conditions for Salisbury State Park, call (978)-462-4481; and for the Parker River Refuge, call (978) 465-5753.

For cozy nearby lodging, contact Stripers Inn in Salisbury. Click on www.stripersgrille.com, or call (978) 499-0400.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
In New Hampshire, the North American Population of geese prefers Great Bay as a staging area rather than areas farther inland. New Hampshire also hosts a resident goose population of about 30,000 birds.

The Granite State's coastal zone is in the southeastern corner of the state east of Route 108. For the best action here this month, biologists suggest the famous Great Bay. Hunting here, as well as in Little Bay just to the north, brings a mix of resident and migrant geese.