Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ (23,952,037)	$ (40,744,938)	$ 14,635,669
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	11,313,783	18,196,583	18,395,040
Impairment	29,904,528	76,824,337
Provision for deferred income taxes	(4,647,000)	(12,112,000)	(12,963,000)
Gain from leasing fee mineral acreage	(685,927)	(1,546,298)	(1,520,262)
Proceeds from leasing fee mineral acreage	701,948	1,565,649	1,564,225
Net (gain) loss on sales of assets	(3,973,321)	(18,730,197)	660,597
ESOP contribution expense	103,104	372,274	382,174
Directors' deferred compensation expense	228,408	272,491	301,715
Total (gain) loss on derivative contracts	(907,419)	(6,105,145)	4,932,068
Cash receipts (payments) on settled derivative contracts	4,109,210	196,985	(1,001,893)
Restricted stock awards	743,897	771,797	655,414
Other	(2,611)	19,085	6,326
Cash provided (used) by changes in assets and liabilities:
Natural gas, oil and NGL sales receivables	1,434,426	2,723,983	483,856
Refundable income taxes	(2,299,785)	(1,472,277)	456,780
Other current assets	(89,931)	21,116	57,752
Accounts payable	1,308,731	105,217	(140,600)
Other non-current assets	(1,044,680)	7,166	(62,295)
Accrued liabilities	(1,139,029)	639,856	100,328
Total adjustments	35,058,332	61,750,622	12,308,225
Net cash provided by operating activities	11,106,295	21,005,684	26,943,894
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(403,136)	(3,526,007)	(11,590,135)
Acquisition of minerals and overrides	(10,288,250)	(5,662,869)	(11,327,371)
Investments in partnerships		(1,648)	3,354
Proceeds from sales of assets	4,228,868	19,515,735	1,085,137
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(6,462,518)	10,325,211	(21,829,015)
Financing Activities
Borrowings under debt agreement	6,061,725	16,642,481	29,017,800
Payments of loan principal	(12,736,725)	(32,217,481)	(30,239,800)
Net proceeds from equity issuance	8,220,726
Purchases of treasury stock	(7,635)	(7,454,000)	(1,219,228)
Payments of dividends	(1,652,164)	(2,673,706)	(2,698,940)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(114,073)	(25,702,706)	(5,140,168)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,529,704	5,628,189	(25,289)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	6,160,691	532,502	557,791
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	10,690,395	6,160,691	532,502
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
Interest paid (net of capitalized interest)	1,306,967	2,031,762	1,730,461
Income taxes paid (net of refunds received)	(1,342,275)	103,279	(232,782)
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:
Additions and revisions, net, to asset retirement obligations	4	27,782	17,216
Gross additions to properties and equipment	10,701,284	9,248,415	21,711,279
Net (increase) decrease in accounts payable for properties and equipment additions	(9,898)	(59,539)	1,206,227
Capital expenditures	$ 10,691,386	$ 9,188,876	$ 22,917,506