It's held on by a little clip near the action. You should be able to pop it off with a screw driver, and minimal effort.
Hungry here: For the most part, this method will work. When you are dealing with a collector grade (read: all original, never issued Springfield Armory M1) walnut handguard, disaster is more likely to strike. You can get away with a screw driver (I know I did, once anyways) but the wire method and the $ 24.95 M1/M14 handguard pliers are guaranteed not to bubba the woodwork. LOL