Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy owning wildlife art and help support programs that benefit Pennsylvania's wildlife at the same time by purchasing any of the wildlife prints and patches offered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

All of the products are available at the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters and through "The Outdoor Shop" on the agency's website.

The Game Commission's 2005 Working Together for Wildlife fine-art print, "Hemlock Hare," is by Pennsylvania wildlife artist Patrick Sharbaugh. The print features a snowshoe hare next to a hemlock sapling in a winter landscape.

This year's Working Together for Wildlife patch, designed by Bob Sopchick, also features a snowshoe hare.

Founded in 1980, the Working Together for Wildlife program has raised more than $2 million to support research and reintroduction of non-game wildlife species native to Pennsylvania, including the bald eagle, osprey, river otter and fisher.

Also, the second in a series of patches recognizing the "Field Notes" section of Pennsylvania Game News is on sale.

Pennsylvania's 2005 voluntary waterfowl management stamp and print feature a pair of red-breasted mergansers by Gerald W. Putt, the only person to win the contest six times (1991, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2005).

In addition to placing orders online or visiting one of the agency's offices, customers may call toll-free 1-888-888-3459, or write Pennsylvania Game Commission, Dept. MS, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. Pennsylvania residents should add six percent sales tax to all items.

All proceeds augment the wildlife management and protection and habitat conservation programs of the Game Commission, which does not receive any general fund taxpayer dollars.

7/15/2005