Photo by Kenny Bahr

Perhaps the last hunter’s shot fired in New England occurred on a goose hunt during the extended February seasons. Now, after two months of idleness, shotgunners are ready to get back into the field again. Fortunately, a thriving wild turkey population stands ready to fulfill hunters’ desires with more great sport this spring.

Hunters can expect to find good numbers of birds in each of the six New England states. Here’s a sampling of best bets to get your season started:

VERMONT
Like most of the New England states, Vermont has reported increased turkey harvests over the past few years. The 2006 spring hunt was a record season, with 4,677 birds taken. This year could be even better.

Hawks Mountain WMA
Vermont turkey hunters should find something to their liking at this 2,183-acre forest. Generally, the terrain is steep and rugged, with its elevation running from the Black River at 700 feet above sea level to the Hawks Mountain Ledge outcroppings at 1,940 feet.

Ledge outcrops are a common feature of the property, which is mostly wooded with maple, birch and beech trees. But red oaks scattered throughout the property provide a good supply of mast for roving flocks of turkeys.

The Black River flows along the forest’s western boundary. Access is limited, making it an ideal place to pursue turkeys with little competition.

The WMA may be accessed from Cavendish Gulf Road. Take Route 131 into Cavendish. Turn south onto Densmore Road. After crossing the Black River, turn left onto Cavendish Gulf Road. There are roadside parking areas and a steep walk-in access.

There are also several roadside-parking areas on Route 131. But to enter the forest here, hunters must be prepared to cross the Black River. Savvy turkey hunters bring a canoe to paddle across the river to access nearly untouched turkey habitat.

Atherton Meadows WMA
After a steep workout at Hawks Mountain, hunters may want to visit the less strenuous Atherton Meadows WMA. Except for some beaver ponds, this 799-acres area is forested with a mixture of hardwoods and evergreens.

This WMA sits in a valley surrounded by higher hills. Harriman Reservoir borders the area to the north. Farms and rural homesteads line Route 100, which bisects the property to the south. Several small streams and old apple trees also keep the turkeys in the area.

The WMA is in the town of Whitingham, about eight miles west of Jacksonville. Route 100 divides the forest, with 646 acres on the northern side of Route 100 and the remaining land sandwiched between the south side of Route 100 and Head Of The Lake Road. Parking for both parcels may be found Route 100, about one mile west of Whitingham center.

For more information on Vermont’s turkey-hunting seasons, licenses and regulations call the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at (802) 241-3700, or visit their Web site at VTFishAndWildlife.com.

For tourist information, call 1-800-837-6668.

RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island is not usually noted for its hunting opportunities because of the state’s small size and high urban population. Surprisingly, the Ocean State has the highest spring turkey season hunter-success rate in all of New England -- nearly 20 percent of all hunters bag a bird!