Barre Falls WMA
At 10,557 acres, this WMA in the Ware River Valley is one of the Bay State's largest public lands. Because of its size and challenging terrain, hunters should be in good physical shape before attempting to hunt grouse here.

Through a cooperative agreement between the MassWildlife, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan District Water Commission, the land is open to hunting and fishing. Pheasant are also liberated in portions of the forest.

As in Birch Hill, the better grouse potential is away from the pheasant-hunting areas. The southern and western portions of the forest should have less hunter traffic.

Hunters will find access points off Route 62 about four miles east of the town of Barre.

The parking areas off Route 62 provide access to the western and northern sections of the WMA.

To access the southern section, take Route 122 from Barre for about five miles. The access areas are well marked. Expect a workout -- this portion of the forest is steep. As at Birch Hill, hunters are required to wear an orange hat when hunting Barre Falls.

Massachusetts' grouse season runs from Oct. 13 through Nov. 24. Hunting license fees are $27.50 for residents and $65.50 for non-residents. The daily bag limit is three birds, and the season limit is 15.

For more information, call the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife at (508) 792-7270, or visit www.masswildlife.org.

For lodging and travel information, call the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism at 1-800-227-6277.

CONNECTICUT
Kollar WMA
Hunters will reap the benefit of the efforts of the Ruffed Grouse Society and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection when hunting this 911-acre tract. Over the years, the forest has been selectively cleared to allow brush and saplings to grow, providing great grouse cover.

Because of the clearcuts, the area does receive a modest stocking of pheasants during the October season.

Pheasant-hunting activities push grouse back into the fringes of the property. The pheasant-stocking section is well marked, with a large parking area nearby. Walk past the pheasant fields into the thicker brushlands in the northern part of the WMA.

The forest is conveniently located off Interstate Route 84. Take Exit 69 and turn west onto Route 74, then take the first right on Buff Cap Road.

Follow Buff Cap Road along I-84 for about one mile. Turn left on Babcock Road. Watch for signs and the main parking lot.

Housatonic State Forest
According to state wildlife managers, the Canaan Mountain portion of Housatonic State Forest has the best grouse habitat in the state. The forest has an overall area of 7,181 acres, which are broken up into several different-sized pieces of property.

Canaan Mountain is one of the largest and hilliest areas of the forest. Several logging roads provide access to the mountain. The trails are very steep, so if you want to find grouse, be prepared to climb.

As you work your way uphill, you will notice small cutover areas. Concentrate your hunting effort around these clearings. Because the area is remote, the only hunters you're likely to encounter are deer hunters and other avid grousers.

The main access points are along Route 63 in Canaan. From Route 44 in Canaan Center, turn south onto Route 7 for about one mile. Turn left onto Route 63. Roadside parking areas and the forest proper are on the left side of Route 63 about three miles from the Route 63/7 junction.

Connecticut's grouse season runs from Oct. 20 through Nov. 30. Hunting license fees are $15 for residents and $67 for non-residents. The daily bag limit is one bird, and the season limit is eight.

For more information, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation at www.dep.state.ct.us, or call toll-free 1-860-424-3011.

For lodging and travel information, phone the Connecticut Office of Tourism at 1-800-282-6863.

RHODE ISLAND
George Washington WMA
Nestled in the northwestern part of Rhode Island is 3,489-acre George Washington WMA, with Bowdish Reservoir and a state campground on its southern border. Grouse hunters will want to focus on the northern part of the forest when hunting.