Is the thought of struggling through holiday shopping crowds unbearable? Dozens of wildlife-related gifts are just a click away at the Game Commission’s "The Outdoor Shop."

One gift that's always in demand is the agency's full-color calendar, which sells for $8.95, and features a fantastic collection of seasonal wildlife photos taken by agency employees and retirees.

Photos included in the 2008 calendar were taken by: Willard C. Hill, retired Game Lands Management Supervisor in the Southcentral Region; Timothy C. Flanigan, retired Bedford County Wildlife Conservation Officer; Jacob Dingel, radio dispatcher in the Northwest Region Office; Coy D. Hill, retired Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer from Fulton County; and Lori Richardson, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist in the Harrisburg headquarters.

Know someone who wants to see and learn more about Pennsylvania's white-tailed deer, black bear and elk? For the price of $5 - which includes tax - you can receive any one of the agency's three award-winning videos: On the Trail of Pennsylvania's Black Bears; Pennsylvania Whitetails, Living with Change; and Pennsylvania Elk: Reclaiming the Alleghenies.

The Game Commission also has three holiday ornaments that sell for $7.95 each. A limited edition ceramic ornament three inches in diameter features a cardinal, a classic symbol of the holiday season. The two pewter ornaments, measuring 2.5 inches in diameter, feature a cardinal on one and a version of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's logo on the other.

The Game Commission also has fewer than 100 of the special collector six-inch patches made in 2005 to honor of 25 years of the Working Together for Wildlife Program. At a cost of $20 (tax included), the patch includes six birds and mammals that have been featured species on previous patches, which normally measure four inches in diameter.

Species from previous WTFW patches featured on the collectible patch are: eastern bluebird (1984); a red fox (1991); beaver (1995); and peregrine falcon (1996). It also features a flying squirrel (1980-early 1990s) and male cardinal (since 1990s), which have been on the agency's companion "WE NEED WILDLIFE" patch.

All revenues generated from these items support the Game Commission's wildlife management programs. Created in 1895 to restore Pennsylvania's wildlife, the Game Commission is responsible for managing all wild birds and mammals, as well as the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat.

In addition to being available on the agency's website, all items are available by contacting the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Department MS, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797; or by calling toll free 1-888-888-3459.

Many of the items are available for sale over-the-counter at the Harrisburg office and six region offices. State sales tax is applied to many of the items.

11/23/2007