The property consists of mature hardwood forest. Management activities within the forest include some patchwork clearings. Large shrub fields are also found in the western part of the WMA. Successful grouse hunters will spend most of their time working these clearings.

George Washington WMA is relatively flat for easy hunting. The footing is generally dry, except for a few small brooks and the occasional beaver pond. The main access is off Route 44 at Bowdish Reservoir.

Hunters may avoid the congested lake area by turning north on Olney Keach Road from Route 44 east of the reservoir, or Pulaski Road to the west near the Connecticut border.

Both roads lead to Centre Road, which runs through the WMA and offers roadside parking. The best hunting is north of Centre Road.

Big River WMA
Rhode Island's wildlife managers have been working to improve the grouse population in the state. Part of their program includes closing certain lands to grouse hunting while the cover improves, but the 8,300-acre Big River WMA is one area that is still open for grouse.

Hunters will find typical Rhode Island forest habitat consisting of smaller hardwood trees, with a modest blend of conifers that are utilized by grouse. When hunting this area, look for small openings recently cleared of trees. These forest clearings may be no larger than a living room, but the birds will utilize them.

Much of the area is lowland, with numerous brooks and small ponds. Hunters will likely see more woodcock than grouse in this forest when the annual timberdoodle migration is in full swing. But both birds provide good shooting.

The land is generally flat and will not challenge the hunter's physical stamina. Waterproof boots are highly recommended.

Big River WMA lies along the east side of I-95 between exits 6 and 6A. The main access point is off Exit 6. From the exit, follow Route 3 south. Parking is available along Route 3.

Hunters may also take Exit 6A and drive south on Hopkins Hill Road. This road bisects the forest, with the better hunting found on the western side of the road.

Rhode Island's grouse season runs from Oct. 20 through Dec. 31. Hunting license fees are $18 for residents and $45 for non-residents.

The daily bag limit is one bird, and the season limit is eight. For more information, visit the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife at www.state.ri.us/dem, or phone (401) 789-3094.

For lodging and travel information, call the Rhode Island Tourism Division at 1-800-556-2484.

MAINE
Lt. Gordon Manuel WMA
Maine offers perhaps the best grouse hunting in all of New England. One good hunting area is the 6,488 acre Lt. Gordon Manuel WMA. In 2003, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife began a program to manage part of the forest for grouse and woodcock.

Aggressive land-management practices and a good spring nesting season mean that New England's grouse hunters can expect to find good numbers of these prized game birds.

The program's first phase involved clearing four-acre plots throughout the forest. Another project was to cut long strips in the forest. Both actions provided open space for grouse.

Today, the management area is comprised of about 85 percent of mixed poplar stands, cedar lowlands, spruce tracts and hardwoods. The grouse management area covers about 150 acres. About 2 percent of the area consists of open fields. The remaining 13 percent is wetland habitat managed for waterfowl.

The WMA lies off Route 1 about five miles south of Houlton on the Maine-New Brunswick border. From Route 1, turn west onto Hodgdon Road toward Hodgdon. Watch for signs and roadside parking areas.

Maine's 2007 grouse season runs from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. Hunting license fees are $22 for residents and $67 for non-residents. The daily bag limit is four birds.

For more information, call the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at (207) 287-5202, or visit www.state.me.us/ifw/index.html.

For lodging and travel information, call the Maine Office of Tourism at 1-888-624-6345.