In terms of overall outdoors opportunities, few places can match the diversity provided by northwestern Pennsylvania, particularly the Venango County area that falls under the Oil Region Alliance.

Here's a sampling of the hunting and fishing options available in the weeks to come.

Triple-play squirrels

When Pennsylvania's early small game season opens on Oct. 13, the Venango County woods will be a great place to pull off something most hunters can't do: harvest a gray, black and fox squirrel in the same day.

The wooded hillsides that border that portion of the Allegheny River are known for producing black squirrels, a color variation of the gray squirrel. There are plenty of gray and fox squirrels, too.

Public hunting lands in the area include State Game Lands 47, located near Green Oaks. Route 62 bisects this 2,216-acre tract.

SGL 253 is found just east of Route 227 and is near Oil Creek State Park. This area covers a bit more than 600 acres.

In southern Venango County, the Allegheny River Tract of Clear Creek State Forest furnishes a significant piece of real estate available for public hunting. The southern end of this property can be accessed near Kennerdell, by way of Route 3008.

A hunter might need to be mobile to take all three colors of bushytails. Expect black and gray squirrels to be more common in stands of mature timber. While fox squirrels also can be found in such timber, they are usually in the fringes close to farmlands.

Stocked trout streams

Venango County boasts three stream sections stated to be stocked with trout during October. This includes two Artificial Lures Only-Delayed Harvest areas on Oil Creek, as well as a Delayed Harvest-Fly Fishing Only project on Little Sandy Creek.

The Oil Creek projects include a 1-mile portion located near Drake Well and also a 1.6 mile section at Petroleum Center.

Little Sandy's FFO area is a mile long and begins at the old bridge at the Polk Center pump house.

Many of the state's delayed harvest areas receive a light stocking of trout during the fall. It's a catch-and-release deal at this time of year.

Fishing the Allegheny

Venango County's portion of the Allegheny provides great fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskie, channel catfish and carp.

As the water cools, the action improves for many species, meaning the best of the year is yet to come.

Access to the river is good in this area, including a fine ramp is provided in Franklin. Under normal flow conditions, the water there is suitable for shallow draft boats, canoes and kayaks. Jet drive outboards are needed to cover lengthy expanses of river.

Another good ramp in located in Oil City. This landing accesses a deep dredge hole, meaning propeller-driven boats can be used within the confines of the pool, which is about a mile long. The fishing can be exceptional in this pool, particularly later in the fall, when fish move into the spot to winter over.

A private ramp is located in Kennerdell, where boats can be launched for a $3 fee. Parking is limited at this site.

Information on the outdoor options of this area, as well as its many attractions and amenities, can be obtained by contacting the Oil Region Alliance at 800-483-6264, or at www.oilregion.org.