Certainly, and like Bevan, Assunpink isn't exactly in my back yard as are a few of the northern WMAs. Nonetheless, I try to make at least two or more trips to Assunpink yearly during the upland season simply because, when you dismount from the ol' hunting jalopy and take a look around, this WMA has "pheasant reside here" stamped all over it.

Assunpink is also one of those WMAs that do not receive any in-season releases of quail, but like other WMAs, division workers do release quail here during September for the purpose of training gun dogs. Subsequently, the chances of bumping up a covey or two are not impossible.

Located in Monmouth and Mercer counties, Assunpink WMA is easily accessed by county routes 524, 571 and 539, and each of these routes can be accessed from Interstate 195.

Here's an item or two you won't find in the Garden State's guide to WMAs. It's called New Jersey's Wild Places and Open Spaces.

I hunt WMAs like Assunpink, primarily because it is classic ringneck cover and, barring some errant shots, I usually put a brace of ringnecks in my game pocket, But more than that, that old curmudgeonly thief, age, has been slowly stealing my stealth, and I now prefer easier going.

Assunpink fills that need with most - and I emphasize, most - pheasant cover located on reasonably flat ground. For certain, it's not like hunting on a pool table, and there is some tough going at some of marshy and brushy spots. Still, it's a heck of a lot better than hunting some of the northern WMAs like Whittingham, where one has a distinct advantage if one leg is much shorter than the other. I fear my mountain climbing days are mostly gone, and for me Assunpink more than fills the bill.

Assunpink receives releases of birds ready for hunting on opening day and that stocking is usually supplemented by additional in-season releases of ringnecks approximately every other day, depending upon calendar dates and weather conditions.

The Black River WMA is located in the township of Chester in Morris County, primarily along what the locals refer to as the Dover/Chester Road, just northwest of what the same natives still call county Route 24, though in reality it is county Route 513.

Though this WMA isn't nearly as large as some like Stafford Forge or Millville, it still offers 3,071 diversified acres, primarily fields. This is yet another WMA that is managed for upland or small game. The management consists primarily of cooperative farming, and many of the fields are planted with cover crops, such as corn or soybeans. Thus, it is a ringneck mecca.

Making things even merrier, there is no shortage of hedgerows at Black River, and if you have more than a season or two under your hunting belt, you know how pheasants, especially the stocked variety, love to head into hedgerows when the hunting pressure is high.

The Black River WMA will receive releases of ringnecks for opening day and additional stockings are usually slated for every other day, or about three times per week, depending upon weather conditions and calendar dates.

With its rolling hills and bucolic background, the Pequest WMA offers edge-loving ringnecks protective as well as "loafing" cover. Here the birds seem more than content to remain on the ground rather than flying off to some farmer's field where the pickings are better. Here you'll find lots of field edges, shrubs and even some thick, heavy brambles where roosters take cover from upland hunters and their dogs, often to no avail.

An additional, albeit positive, element to the Pequest WMA is the fact that, for whatever reason, crowding does not seem to be as problematic as it is on our state's other popular WMAs. That's not to say you won't find a gaggle of gunners during opening day or the first week or two of upland season at the Pequest, but once you experience bird hunting on this WMA, I think you'll agree that the crowds are not quite as big.

The Pequest WMA is located in the town of Oxford in Warren County, and is easily accessed by either state Route 31 or from U.S. Route 46, which leads directly to the division's hatchery as well as the hunting grounds.

The Pequest will have birds for opening day and receives stockings approximately every two or three days through the first week of January.

Remember, unlike some other states, New Jersey does not have a selection or lottery system that limits the number of hunters afield during the upland season. Merely choose the WMA where you think you'll fare best for a brace of ringnecks, park the ol' hunting jalopy, release pup, load your scattergun (after you're afield, that is), and you're on the way. Good shooting to you this season in our Garden State!