Photo by Mike Lambeth.

During the 2006 hunting season, New England's deer hunters took several new record-class bucks while downing more than 50 bucks that scored 150 inches or better. In fact, hunters have taken an eye-popping total of 350 bucks of that size in New England during the last five seasons (2002-06)!

How many trophies will fall in 2007?

According to the Northeast Big Buck Club -- the region's whitetail scoring and record-keeping organization -- great bucks may be found in every corner of New England, from densely populated southern Connecticut to the vast, wild lands of Aroostook County in northern Maine.

Over the last few years, several new state records were set, and many bucks scoring over 200 gross Boone and Crockett points were recorded.

Here's a look at all six states' recent trophy harvests and the areas most likely to produce your buck of a lifetime in 2007!

MASSACHUSETTS
Over the last five seasons, the Bay State has produced more NBBC record-book bucks than any other New England state. More than 600 new entries to the NBBC record book include 140 bucks scoring over 150 inches. During that time frame, in fact, this state has produced three bucks that gross over 200 inches.

In 2006, a host of mega-bucks fell all across the state to archery, shotgun and muzzleloader hunters. Last year, according to the Northeast Big Buck Club, a new state-record archery typical buck (185 7/8) was taken in central Massachusetts. A new record muzzleloader non-typical (190 1/8) was taken in western Massachusetts, and a giant shotgun buck (194 7/8) was taken in eastern Massachusetts.

Obviously, great bucks can literally be found anywhere in the state.

There's been a noticeable shift in hunting pressure (and deer kills) from west to east: More eastern hunters who used to travel west to find big bucks are finding better luck in their own back yards!

In the center of the state, Worcester County (Deer Management zones 8, 9 and 10) produces more trophy bucks each year than any other county in southern New England. Zones 8 and 9 are perennial hotspots, and hunters who gain access to private lands in northern Zone 10 (Essex County) may also expect a shot at a trophy.

Meanwhile, in southeastern Zone 11 (Plymouth and Bristol counties), bowhunters may have good luck by connecting on a mature buck in a small pocket of woods. It's interesting to note that Norfolk County (near Boston) produced a 210-inch road-killed buck in 2004!

To the west, towns in and around the Connecticut River Valley are showing signs of returning to their productive days once again. They will probably get more attention because a host of 170- to 200-class bucks have been taken in this area in the last few years.

For more information about big bucks in the Bay State, contact the Northeast Big Buck Club, 390 Marshall Street, Paxton, MA 016123. Or you can visit the club's Web site at www.bigbuckclub.com, or call (508) 752-8762.

CONNECTICUT
Extended early and late archery seasons are sandwiched around a peak-rut gun season and an early December muzzleloader season, making for some great hunting under a variety of conditions in the Nutmeg State.

The past five seasons were distinguished by several outstanding trophy bucks being taken. The NBBC reported that more than 550 bucks from the past five years have qualified for their record books, and over 100 of those bucks scored 150 points or better. During that five-year span, the top four bucks scored over 180.