The harvest consisted of 82 jakes (35 percent of the take) and 152 adult toms (65 percent of harvest). Hunters can expect similar results in 2007.

According to Brian Tefft, principal wildlife biologist at the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife, the restoration of the wild turkey continues to be a major success story. Turkeys were harvested in 20 of the 39 towns around the state. The top five towns were Exeter, Burrillville, Scituate, Glocester and Richmond.

Private lands accounted for most of the harvested birds. But according to information from the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife, birds were also taken in 12 different state wildlife management areas. Arcadia WMA along Route 165 between exits 4 and 5 off I-95 in Exeter and the Carolina WMA along Route 112 at Exit 3 off I-95 in Richmond were hotspots for state-land hunting.

Several large gobblers were harvested last spring, including 71 birds -- 30 percent of those taken -- weighing over 20 pounds. The average live weight for a Rhode Island jake was 14.5 pounds, and the average live weight for an adult tom was 21.4 pounds.

The largest bird checked in last spring weighed 24.5 pounds and had 1-inch spurs and an 11-inch beard.

For more information on turkey-hunting seasons and licensing, call the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 789-3094, or visit their Web site at Dem.RI.Gov.

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

Find more about New England fishing and hunting at: NewEnglandGameandFish.com