Few success stories are as impressive as that of wild turkey restoration efforts throughout New England. Considering that these big birds were wiped out through habitat loss and unrestricted hunting in the 1800s, today's amazing wild turkey numbers represent a dramatic turnaround, thanks to some very effective management by the region's wildlife agencies. Turkey numbers are up to record highs, as is hunter success. Here's a roundup of management news and best-bet public turkey-hunting areas in your state.

CONNECTICUT

The wild turkey population is doing just fine in the Nutmeg State, as evidenced by its relatively long spring season (May 6 to May 30) and bag limits of three bearded birds on private lands or two on state land.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's Deer/ Turkey Program has partnered this year with the National Wild Turkey Federation to improve wild turkey brood habitat.

According to Michael Gregonis, a DEP Wild Turkey Program biologist, eight acres of overgrown field were converted to open grassland better suited to broody turkey hens and poults at Griggs Pond in Nipmuck State Forest in Woodstock.

Nipmuck, the second oldest state forest in Connecticut, spans 8,080 acres in Union. Together with nearby Bigelow Hollow State Park, this is one of the largest unbroken forested areas in the eastern portion of the state. Both spring and fall opportunities for wild turkeys may be had here.

To access this area, take Exit 73 off Interstate Route 84. Check DeLorme's Connecticut/Rhode Island Atlas and Gazetteer, map 55, for area details.

The Roraback Wildlife Management Area's 1,975 acres in Harwinton offers more good turkey habitat. The terrain here ranges from mixed hardwood forests to open fields to wetlands. Parking is available on South Road or at the corner of Wilson Pond and Plymouth roads. Check DeLorme's CT/RIAG, map 42, for details.

Bartlett Brook WMA in Lebanon offers spring and fall wild turkey hunting on 684 acres. The land is a combination of agricultural fields and old pastures, mixed hardwood forests and hardwood swamp.

The main entrance and parking are on Goshen Hill Road off Route 16. Parking may also be had on Route 16 about one-half mile east of the Colchester-Lebanon line.

Check DeLorme's CT/RIAG, map 37 for area details.

Paugussett State Forest in Newton spans 1,947 acres of mostly mixed hardwood forest with some swampy areas. Access can be had off Route 34 along both Great Quarter Road and Stone Bridge Road. See DeLorme's CT/RIAG, map 23.

For more Connecticut hunting information, go to www.ct.gov/dep/site/ default.asp.

For general travel information, visit www.visitconnecticut.com or www.tourism.state.ct.us/.

MAINE
According to Kelsey Sullivan, a wildlife biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's Migratory and Upland Game Birds program, wild turkey management goals in the Pine Tree State are multiple. The MDIFW is aiming to increase the size and distribution of the wild turkey population everywhere that has suitable habitat, protect and enhance spring gobbler hunting opportunities, provide a limited fall hunt, and to address nuisance turkey issues.