Here are some outdoors odds and ends:

• The Moniteau High FFA held its annual fur-fish-game event Feb. 26. It featured interesting programs and lots of people with outdoors interests and generated much dialogue about the state of affairs in the commonwealth.

I was reminded of the upcoming Spring Gobbler Season as the second tag went on sale. These tags are available until April 30 and won’t be available after the season starts.

When I saw six long beards strutting along a country lane the other day I was reminded why so many hunters cherish this beautiful bird as a trophy.

• In April, we will find out more about the proposed adjustments to antler restrictions. Our area has the four-point rule while the rest of the state has the three-point rule. The adjustment that is being proposed is extending the three-point main beam rule across the entire state.

This is eliminating the brow tine from the decision-making process, which gives Pennsylvania hunting much more uniformity.

Another new change is clarity in the use of stands and blinds in State Game Lands. It now is the law that stands or blinds can’t be placed more than two weeks before the season and must be removed no later than two weeks after the season.

n Ronald A. Weaner, president of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, had an interesting quote, “Hunters need to remember that locating a tree stand on (State Game Lands) does not reserve a hunting area. The first person to arrive in a certain spot has the right to hunt that area.”

I think this will prove interesting as more hunters vie for quality areas and don’t want competition crowding them out.

Of course, you don’t need to worry about room to hunt after the first day anyway.

• What did you think about the split fall turkey season and the Saturday opener for black bear? One proposal floating around is the potential change for the opening day of buck season.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is being tossed around to give hunters more weekend hunting time.

We’ll see how that flies, but I personally like the traditional Monday after Thanksgiving as the opener.

• Fishing season is right around the corner, and Pennsylvania again will have a split opening day for trout season.

Eighteen Southeastern counties will have an April 2 opening date while the rest of the state will open April 16.

Planning a turkey and trout trip this spring would be a good way to chase away the winter blahs.

• Senior anglers should consider a lifetime license anytime during the year they turn 65 for only $51.70.

An upgrade of the lifetime license is available for $6.70 and it is a durable plastic card version.

Jay E. Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.