MASSACHUSETTS
In November, the western district of Massachusetts offers some good pheasant hunting. This part of the state is 80 percent forested and offers a rural counterpoint to Massachusetts' urbanized eastern area of Boston and outlying towns. The western district is a good place to travel to in November when your attention drifts to gun dogs and upland birds.

"Some 4,000 birds are stocked in 52 towns in the Western District," said Tony Gola, a game biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Wildlife. "About 60 percent of those birds are stocked in October, while the remaining 40 percent are released in November."

Gola explained that the state stocks birds in 52 areas two nights per week during the season. Many times stocking takes place on Friday nights and then on a Monday or Tuesday night.

"Stocking takes place in the twilight hours," Gola said, "to give birds a chance to roost."

Coyotes and owls are a problem for states with a pheasant-stocking program. Evening releases seem to allow the lowest predator kills while still giving the state ample time to stock all locations.

In the western district of the Bay State, good pheasant hunting may be found in Stafford Hill, Eugene D. Moran, Hinsdale Flats, Housatonic Valley and Knightville WMAs.

The top spot in the western district is Stafford Hill WMA in Cheshire. This site is stocked twice per week during the season. It's a hilly region with new housing developments nearby. Hunters new to the area should obtain a map to avoid walking out of the woods into someone's back yard.

This WMA is made up of 1,592 acres of former farmland. Gola said that over 500 birds are released in three sections on overgrown field habitat. The state's Upland Improvement Habitat Program includes this and other areas throughout the district. Last spring, the site was cleared of dense old growth to encourage brushy cover. Next year, it should be covered with waist-high brush. The area is not necessarily picturesque, but the benefits of new habitat for both upland bird species and small and large game are inarguable.

To get there, drive south on Route 116 to Stafford Hill Road, which bisects the WMA. Parking areas are as indicated.

In Windsor, try the Eugene. D. Moran WMA. This is part of the state's bio-diversity upland habitat program. Gola describes the terrain as an abandoned family farm. There is a wetland section with reed grass that reaches a height of 7 feet. It is high and thick. Hunters will find an old Christmas tree plantation that is very dense. Pheasant hunters should work the edges between the high reeds and the woods.

Take Route 8A or North Street off Route 9 to access this 1,300-acre WMA.

Most of the 1,489 acres that make up Hinsdale Flats WMA are nearly level and border the headwaters of the East Branch Housatonic River. It consists of former farmland and woods. Beavers have created over 1,000 acres of wet, marshy land, so hunters should wear rubber boots.

Drive south on Route 8 to Middlefield Road, where parking areas are indicated.

The George L. Darey/Housatonic Valley WMA in Pittsfield, Lenox, and Lee is a patchwork of public land that will receive 350 birds this fall. Its 818 acres skirt the Housatonic River and feature thickets of dogwood and wetlands. It is mostly flat with some steep riverbanks. Also, expect woodcock and waterfowl. Travel south on East New Lenox Road to the intersection of New Lenox Road where hunters may access the WMA and parking.