I have two favorite magazines that I subscribe to each month; one is Pennsylvania Game News. I have been a regular reader since 1962, my sophomore year in high school. To realize that the August 2015 issue is the 1,000th is quite a milestone. If you can get this issue yet this month, please do so. Most sporting goods stores sell Game News. It is definitely “collector material.”
Pennsylvania Game News is the official monthly publication of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Each monthly issue has many regular features which are entertaining and educational to anyone who loves the outdoors, whether you are a hunter on not. I pass on each issue to several folks in our church.
“Field Notes” is my favorite read in each issue. It is a collection of notes sent in each month by Wildlife Conservation Officers, Land Management Officers, Deputy WCOs and some retired officers. The notes are a great read and the artwork is worthy of any awards available. My friend Nick Rosato, Warrensville, PA, was the illustrator of Field Notes for many years until his passing in 2014. His first was in November 1961 and last was July 2014. The current illustrations are still very good.
There is an archery column “Straight from the Bowstring by John Kasun. While I am not a bow hunter, his columns are still quite interesting and I usually find something new to learn. There is a rifle column also.
There are also stories about hunting, trapping and other outdoor activities. In the June 2014 issue, there was a story about The Muck by Tim Flanigan. The Muck is actually State Game Lands 313, near Wellsboro. It quite an interesting place to visit annually with a foot walk into a marshy area abounding with ducks and other wildlife. We try to visit each autumn.
There are also articles about Game Commission research, seasons and bag limits and Board of Game Commissioners meeting highlights.
In addition, you will find various books and collectables available to sale in most monthly issues. We bought the Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania last year. It is a valuable resource for our birding activities.
I do not endorse many things in this column. Subscribing to Pennsylvania Game News is one exception. Instead of paying the monthly newsstand price of $3.99, you can subscribe for one year at $18.00 or 3 years for $45.00, which is my choice. You can phone in your order at: 717-787-4250 or go on the very informational website at: www.pgc.state.pa.us.