Hunting For The Purfect Gift?

Game Commission selling two new calendars, and loads of collectibles to please any holiday budget.

          While hunting is often challenging, bagging the perfect gift for the hunters and wildlifers in your life is as easy as placing a phone call or logging onto the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website.

          Among other gifts available this holiday season, the Game Commission is offering not one, but two new calendars for 2016.

          In addition to the 2016 edition of the popular Pennsylvania Wildlife Calendar, which has been published annually for years, the Game Commission this year also has produced a 2016 Birds of Pennsylvania calendar. 

          Like the wildlife calendar, the Birds of Pennsylvania calendar contains striking full-color photos and is chock-full of useful information. The calendar gives tips on the best times to view birds or listen for their calls, advises on when to think about readying nest boxes or planting trees or shrubs that benefit birds, and contains a plethora of dates for bird-themed events and festivals. 

          Both calendars are a bargain at $9.25, plus shipping, plus sales tax for Pennsylvania residents.
          A pair of books offered for sale for the first time last holiday season remain hot sellers and are sure to please.

          Pennsylvania Deer Hunting, Through the Pages of Game News, a 174-page collection of classic deer-hunting stories that have been published over the years in Pennsylvania Game News magazine, sells for $15.50.

          Also available is the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s new Game Cookbook, a collection of big-game, small-game and wild fowl recipes submitted by camp cooks from across Pennsylvania. The spiral-bound 108-page cookbook is priced at $9.43.

          The books are among many gifts available either through The Outdoor Shop at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us, or by calling toll free to 1-888-888-3459.

          Also popular this holiday season is the 2015 edition of the Pennsylvania Big Game Records Book. This is the 50^th anniversary of the state’s Big Game Scoring Program, and the new records book is loaded with color photos of many of the new entries. 

          And hardcover and soft-cover editions of “Gone for Another Day,” the recent sequel to the classic Ned Smith compilation, are available, as well. 

          There are many new collectible patches, including the new Hunting Heritage patch, which features the same logo seen on the new Hunting Heritage license plate, and the 2015 Working Together for Wildlife patch featuring a great blue heron.  

          The Working Together for Wildlife great blue heron print also is being offered. 

          And, as always, gift subscriptions to Pennsylvania Game News magazine and a host of other merchandise are available at the website and might just make for the perfect gift.

          There’s something for everybody and something in everybody’s price range.

          Some materials also might be available for purchase at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave., or at region offices. All orders placed online and by phone are subject to shipping and handling charges, and Pennsylvania sales tax.

          Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough said that, during this season of giving, the agency is pleased to give shoppers plenty of great choices.

          “As hunters know, hunting can be challenging, and so can hunting for the perfect gift,” Hough said. “But if you’re shopping for hunters or other outdoor enthusiasts, check out what the Game Commission has to offer this holiday season. There are a lot of choices that just can’t miss.”