With autumn here and October just a few days off, darkness has gained the edge on daylight while the harvest moon approaches. For the outdoor fans, the varying seasons and events kick into overdrive.

First off, don't forget this coming Saturday's (Oct. 4) youth squirrel hunting day. Squirrel populations should be decent with widespread mast that should have the squirrels fairly well dispersed.

Here's some quick skinny on the youth squirrel day. Youngsters must be under 14 years of age and accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21 years of age. The youth hunter does not require a license. The accompanying adult cannot carry a gun or bow and must remain near enough to render assistance.

With a late summer, early fall drought prevailing, extra caution should be given to forest fire potential. Beginning Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, outdoor burning is prohibited between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"During this three-month period, known as the fall forest fire season, outdoor burning is permitted only in the evening and at night, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 a.m., when the chances of a fire escaping are reduced due to cooler temperatures, increased humidity and calmer winds."

The limited fall trout stockings are slated for the weeks of Oct. 13 and 20. R. D. Bailey Tailwaters and Pond Fork are to be stocked on the local level. Other limited waters include a who's who trouting list the likes of the Cranberry, Williams, South Branch, Blackwater Rivers and others that are indicated in the regulations brochure or on the DNR web-page at www.wvdnr.gov .

We're awaiting the official mast survey and will provide the rundown as soon as it arrives. In other matters, the wild turkey brood counts are at least decent at around the five-year average. The turkey brood counts have been a helpful population index over the years. Turkeys are big birds but more helpful to the count is the penchant for brood flocks to frequent open fields in quest of grasshoppers and seeds.

Unfortunately, the grouse brood data is just more of the same bad news and then some. Unlike turkeys, grouse and their broods rarely come out in the open and the better population test may be the flushing rate per hour as determined by cooperating hunters in the field. However, they haven't been much to brag about either.

Moving on to the National Hunting and Fishing Day events that conclude today at Stonewall Jackson State Park, one has to wonder about the location lock. With $4 gas and a three hour drive for the readership, it's logically become an upstate event. I doubt if either of the Panhandle folks from say Wheeling or Martinsburg are making up much of the crowd either.

At least one reader suggested moving it around the state a bit.