Hope-fully we’ll have plenty of warm, pleasant days ahead of us before snow flies. For many boaters, the boating season came to an abrupt end the last week of August when Mother Nature unleashed her fury on the area.

One can only hope for better, more seasonal weather as 2011 nears completion.

Despite all that, there are some positive notes too.

September offers a number of opening days that area hunters eagerly anticipate. The statewide squirrel, crow and early goose seasons opened on Sept. 1 and the early bear season here in the northern zone opened last Saturday, Sept. 17. Also, the northern zone big game bowhunting season opens on Tuesday, Sept. 27 and the northern zone ruffed grouse (partridge) season opened on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

However, Oct. 1, just 9 days from today, is the big day for many other season openers.

For example, the cottontail rabbit season in most of the state opens on Saturday, Oct. 1, as does the northern zone varying hare (snowshoe rabbit) season.

The pheasant season in the eastern half of the state also opens Oct. 1 and the ruffed grouse season in the entire southern and western portions of the state also opens that day.

The fall turkey season in the entire eastern half of the state also opens on Oct. 1, as does the newly expanded (45 day) woodcock season and the statewide coyote season.

There are other season openers later in October but we’ll cover those in a future column.

MORE ON ETHANOL

The Environmental Protection Agency recently allowed fuel companies to increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent and that move could result in more damaged boat engines for unsuspecting owners who use the newly formulated fuel.

Ethanol increases the acidity of the fuel, which in older boats and motors can actually dissolve fuel tanks and lines, which can ultimately damage, clog and stall engines.

A survey conducted recently by AnglerSurvey.com showed that most anglers who boat were unaware of this increase in ethanol and the threat the change poses. Almost 56 percent of the respondents were unaware of the change, while only 41 percent reported being aware of it.

Also, and equally important in this day of rising fuel prices, the addition of 50 percent more ethanol is unlikely to reduce gas prices and may in fact even raise them. In addition, your boat motor, weed whacker, power lawn mower and other gas-powered devices may need adjustment to handle the new formulation.

Some may handle it well and other;s not so well. As a result, it’s imperative you consider that fact next year when you prep the above devices for a new season of use.

Most, especially newer models, have already been adjusted for the 10 percent ethanol mix but raising it to 15 percent may be problematic in some cases so get it checked out. At least discuss the matter with whoever services those devices. They’ll know best what’s needed and how it has to be done. While you're at it, pay some special attention to your snowblower since that;s the next device you’ll be using - hopefully not on a daily basis. Incidentally, remember that autumn officially begins tomorrow.

Do your homework. For more information on the threat ethanol poses to boat engines, go to: www.boatus.com/seaqorthy/ethanol on the web.

NHF DAY

Sept. 24, marks the annual celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day. It all began over 40 years ago when Pennsylvania gun shop owner Ira Joffe came up with the idea that the country needed an official day to celebrate and recognize hunters and anglers for their invaluable contributions to conservation.

Joffe’s idea caught on and soon made its way from his hometown of Upper Darby to the Pennsylvania state capital.

In 1970 Gov. Raymond Shafer proclaimed an “Outdoor Sportsman’s Day” in the Keystone State and by 1972 the special day had caught the attention of Congress. That year President Nixon signed a special proclamation designating the fourth Saturday in September as National Hunting and Fishing Day.

This annual special day celebrates the role outdoorsmen and women have played in conserving and improving the country’s natural resources, including the contribution of some $30 billion over the years in special taxes on various sporting goods items as well as countless hours of volunteer work spent on habitat improvement and other related projects. Philanthropist and multi-gazillionaire T. Boone Pickens is this year’s Honorary Chairman.