GAME NEWS MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION RATES TO INCREASE SEPT. 1

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Game Commission, effective Sept. 1, will increase subscription rates for its popular monthly magazine, Pennsylvania Game News, for the first time since Jan. 1, 1998.

"We have no choice; Game News subscription rates must be increased to offset increasing production and mailing costs," said Bob Mitchell, Game News editor.  "But, before the new rates take effect, now is a great time to renew, for as many years as you like, at the current rates.

"It's also a great time to renew Game News gift subscriptions, and buy new gift subscriptions, too. We can even hold those gift subscriptions submitted via telephone or mail until the holidays, if you'd like."

The new rates will be $18 for one year, compared to the current $12; $45 for three years, compared to the current $34.50; and $24 per year for foreign subscriptions, compared to the current $20.  Subscriptions can be ordered by writing Pennsylvania Game News, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797; by calling 1-888-888-1019; or by visiting "The Outdoor Shop" on the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and clicking on "Subscribe."  To hold gift subscriptions until the holidays, place the orders through the toll-free phone number or through the mail, and be sure to note that you want the gift held until December (the January issue). Orders submitted online can't be held.

"Over the years, we have worked to keep our subscription rates as low as possible," Mitchell said.  "Unlike commercial publications, we're not publishing to make a profit. The purpose of Game News is to promote hunting and furtaking, the programs of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the wise management and conservation of our natural resources.

"To best achieve this, our goal is to make Game News as affordable as possible, so the magazine will get to as many people as possible. Our subscription rates have not been increased in almost eight years, and compared to the costs of other publications, Game News is and will remain a tremendous value."

Mitchell noted that, not only has the agency been able to absorb the increased costs of printing and mailing since subscription rates were last raised, but beginning in 2005, the agency also began offering full-color throughout the magazine.

"Game News has long been ranked among the most popular outdoor publications," Mitchell said.  "The magazine enjoys national recognition because of its down-home sort of content, high quality artwork, and its distinctive 6x9 format. Every month brings the latest Game Commission news; regular columns about the outdoors, wildlife, archery and firearms; authoritative articles on the latest wildlife research; law enforcement cases by our Wildlife Conservation Officers and, of course, Field Notes."

He noted that what sets Game News apart from nearly every other hunting-related publication is that it features the experiences of everyday hunters - not professional writers. In any given issue, readers may find a story about their neighbor, friend, relative or even themselves, or a photograph of someone they know with a deer, bear, turkey or other game animal.

"Just like the price of a Pennsylvania hunting or furtaking license, Game News has always been and will remain an outstanding value," Mitchell said.  "To get the most out of this value, subscribe to Game News now, for yourself and for your family and friends."

First published by the Game Commission as the "Monthly Service Bulletin" in July of 1929, Game News was created to communicate with officers in the field, and for officers to communicate among themselves.  The first issue was 11 pages and printed with a mimeograph machine.

In July of 1931, the "Monthly Service Bulletin" was renamed the Pennsylvania Game News, and, in April of 1932, Game News was made available to the public. Subscriptions were 50 cents a year and, by the time that first issue came off the press, 1,600 subscribers had signed on. 

"Now, 77 years later, Game News is still going strong, and has become a collectible series for many hunters, trappers and outdoor-enthusiasts," Mitchell said.

Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting and trapping laws, and managing habitat on 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.  The agency also conducts numerous wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs. 

The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its annual operating budget.  The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the state's share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.

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