WILD IDEAS: It’s the first day of deer season, of course. We
figured it’s a good day to pass along some shopping ideas from the
Pennsylvania Game Commission, including special Case knives
manufactured in Bradford.

For the third year, the Game Commission is offering two
collectible series — the Wild Turkey Heritage Series and the Upland
Game Bird Series.

The two series, which were launched in 2007 and will run for a
total of five years, incorporate products grown and made in
Pennsylvania, as well as the designs of an award-winning
Pennsylvania wildlife artist.

The new collectible, numbered wild turkey calls and knives, are
handsome additions to these continuing series. Also, both series
offer corresponding fine-art prints and patches.

The Upland Game Bird Series  features five collectible
mini-trapper knives made by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. This
year, the series showcases the ring-necked pheasant. The first year
featured the ruffed grouse and the second year was the American
woodcock. Subsequent years will focus on the bobwhite quail and
mourning dove.

Each knife will be made with a different bone handle — bone
stag, chestnut bone, old red bone, amber bone and antique bone and
comes in an attractive tin featuring the artwork of that year’s
upland game bird. Each knife will be individually numbered.

The Wild Turkey Heritage Series features five collectible
box-style turkey calls, made in Pennsylvania. Each
individually-numbered call will be made from a different
Pennsylvania-grown wood and come in a green velvet bag and feature
a different wild turkey scene.

This and other gift ideas can be perused the Outdoor Shop on the
commission’s website.

One gift that’s always in demand is the agency’s full-color
calendar which provides a listing of approved season dates from
Jan. 1-June 30, and tentative season dates for July1-Dec. 31. Each
month features a full-color photo of a different wildlife
species.