Small game hunters will discover gray squirrels are plentiful across Pennsylvania this season.

HARRISBURG — If there's one game animal that could use some additional attention in Pennsylvania, it's squirrels. Game Commission field officers report squirrel populations are strong in most areas of the state.

Gray squirrels continue to be found across Pennsylvania in sizable numbers, and the black-phase gray squirrel isn't hard to find north of Interstate 80 and east of the Ohio line all the way into the state's north-central counties.

Fox squirrels also are becoming increasingly available as they continue to push east of the Allegheny Front and north through Pennsylvania's ridges and valleys. Fox squirrels can be found as far east as the Susquehanna River.

Squirrel populations have been enjoying the benefits of declining hunting pressure and the maturation of habitat in the state for some time. These factors have spurred fox squirrel range expansion and recovery. Game Commission field officers believe squirrel hunting will be good to excellent in many of the state's forests and woodlots.

For county-specific details on game populations, habitat conditions and where-to-go hunting information for squirrels and other small game, visit www.pgc.state.pa.us, then click on the Field Officer Game Forecasts link.

FRANKLIN — Despite recent rainfall, water conditions in the Pymatuning Lake area are low enough to adversely affect waterfowl hunting, according to the Game Commission.Since recent rains didn't raise water levels significantly, hunters might not find ducks in their traditional areas when the Northwest Duck Zone opens Oct. 9.Hunters are reminded that Duck Management Areas J & L will remain open by permit on the established shooting days, and the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area goose blinds are in operation.

HARRISBURG — With favorable late spring-early summer weather conditions across much of the state, Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists expect ruffed grouse hunting to be average to slightly above average — where good habitat exists — for the more than 100,000 hunters who annually pursue these challenging game birds.The opening day of the state's three-part grouse season is Oct. 16, and runs through Nov. 27. The season reopens Dec. 13 to 23, and then again from Dec. 27 to Jan. 22.Participating hunters must have a valid Pennsylvania hunting license and follow the regulations that govern this rugged sport.