According to New England's wild turkey biologists, bird populations throughout New England are generally holding their own or increasing. Barring any unforeseen circumstance or hardship, turkey experts in the region are optimistic about this spring's hunting prospects.

CONNECTICUT
While turkeys may be found throughout the Nutmeg State, some of the best hunting opportunities are in the northwest, northeast and south-central regions.

At more than 10,000 acres, Housatonic State Forest is one of the largest public-hunting areas in the state. It is easily reached from Route 7 traveling through Cornwall Bridge or Route 4 from the Torrington area.

With more than 17,100 acres open to hunting, Cockaponsett State Forest offers plenty of room as well. Route 9 cuts through it, and routes 81 and 148 provide additional access. Hunters should be aware that some portions of the state forest are closed to hunting with firearms.

Naugatuck State Forest is much smaller in size at 4,480 acres, but judging by harvest reports, it has its share of birds. It is south of Naugatuck and north of Oxford west of Route 8. Keep in mind the Great Hill Block area is limited to archery hunting only.

For more information on spring turkey hunting, contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's Wildlife Division at (860) 424-3555, or visit the DEP's Web site at www.dep.state.ct.us.

RHODE ISLAND
About 7 percent of Rhode Island's land mass, about 46,000 acres, is held in the public domain, primarily in the form of wildlife management areas (WMA).

One of the best is Arcadia WMA north of Hope Valley. At more than 13,800 acres, this is the largest piece of public ground in the state and was the site where turkeys were first reintroduced in 1980. Route 165 creating north and south sections bisects it, and numerous roads and trails lead into both areas.

Two other good spots are the Buck Hill and George Washington WMAs in the northeast corner of the state. Combined, they offer over 5,500 acres of public hunting opportunities.

Buck Hill may be reached from Route 100 traveling west out of Pascoag, while the George Washington WMA is north and south of Route 4A west of Chepachet.

The Burlingame WMA has turkeys, too. It is in Charlestown and covers 1,390 acres of deciduous forest, wetlands and agricultural habitat. Access is north of Buckeye Road at Clawson Trail.

For more information, contact the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 789-0281, or visit their Web site at www.dem.ri.gov.