Access to the Eight Rod Farm WMA is off Route 77 south of the four corners mentioned above in Sapowet Marsh. The property lies past Nonquit Pond on the east side of Route 77 at the Tiverton-Little Compton town border.

Nicholas Farm WMA
Many Ocean Staters report that this area offers the best pheasant hunting in Rhode Island. Part of the reason is the cooperative stocking program between Rhode Island and Connecticut. Nicholas Farm WMA abuts Connecticut's Pachaug State Forest. The DEM releases pheasants into Nicholas Farm, while the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection stocks pheasants into Pachaug State Forest. Hunters on either side of the border flush the birds back and forth. Because both states stock pheasants once or twice per week, the two hunting areas are usually well supplied with birds throughout the season.

Nicholas Farm contains a 1,500-acre blend of small farming fields, some mature forestland and small shrub lots. The birds move around between the different habitats to give hunters and their dogs a well-rounded experience.

Access to Nicholas Farm is off Route 117. Take Exit 5 off I-95 onto Route 102 north. Follow Route 102 to Route 117. Turn west toward Greene. In Greene, Route 117 makes a sharp turn northward. The road then turns westward to a T-intersection. Route 117 goes right, but you will turn left onto Lewis Farm Road. Continue on Lewis Farm Road to Nicholas Road. Several parking slots are available off Nicholas Road.

Rhode Island resident license fees are $18 for the season. Non-resident license fees are $45. Hunters also need a special $15.50 pheasant-hunting permit.

The pheasant season opens Oct. 15 and runs through Jan. 15. The daily limit is two birds, with a season limit of 10.

For more hunting and licensing information, contact the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Division of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 789-3094 or visit www.state.ri.us/dem. For travel information, call the Rhode Island Tourism Division at 1-800-556-2484.

MASSACHUSETTS
Pheasant hunting in Massachusetts is maintained through a well-managed stocking program. Every autumn, MassWildlife releases about 40,000 pheasants into over 40 wildlife management areas. Four recommended pheasant spots are:

Barre Falls WMA
This is one of the largest hunting areas in the state, covering over 10,500 acres. Along with MassWildlife, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan District Commission cooperatively manage this area.

Because of this area's immense size, hunters will find a wide variety of habitat. Deer and turkey hunters target the forested acreage, which also supports grouse and other game. Mixed within the forests are numerous small open fields, marshy areas and shrubby swamps that hold the stocked pheasants. Brush pants are recommended.

Access points are off Route 62 about four miles east of the town of Barre. Hunters will find plenty of signs pointing the way to public-access points for the northern end of the property. Adventurous hunters can sweep around the WMA on Route 122 to the southwest or Brigham Street to the east, where they will find a few smaller access points.

Herman Covey WMA
Many hunters refer to this area as the Swift River Wildlife Management Area because the Swift River runs through its 1,474 acres. The hunting terrain includes steep ledges, gentle hills and flatlands along the Swift River. Along the river, hunters will also find several manmade ponds and beaver flowages that provide additional wildlife habitat.