Pennsylvania Game News - October 2023 - 38

tion: Wildlife's past is as important as
its future. I believe the past matters that
much. In a field that often advances
only through trial-and-error, recording
the past helps ensure we don't
make replicate earlier mistakes in
conservation.
History also helps folks envision
progression, provides education and
reminds us to be grateful.
That knowledge and understanding
helps to build a great following
of natural-resource conservationists,
which bolsters another one of my
favorite lines: Wildlife never can have
too many friends.
THE BOOK
The book's length is substantial,
exceeding 550 pages covering
Pennsylvania's conservation voyage
through its periods of plentifulness,
exploitation and recovery. It includes
the main narrative through these periods,
but it also offers about 20 features
that delve into topics such as: passenger
pigeons, the possibility of bison
in Pennsylvania, Carolina parakeets,
the felling of Penn's Woods and the
bounty program.
The new book has both period
black-and-white photos and illustrations,
and those in full color.
Color wasn't an option when the
first book was published in the early
1990s; the Game Commission still was
shooting and publishing only blackand-white
photographs, as well as onecolor
illustrations. Desktop publishing
was just beginning to be incorporated
in its outreach efforts.
I'd also like to note the book's foreword
was written by Bob Sopchick, his
last piece of previously unpublished
writing. He wanted to write it, because
38
of my involvement in the assembly and
publication of his book, Penn's Woods
Passages, released by the Game Commission
in 2020. And if you're familiar
with his articles and artwork, as most
Game News readers are, you're well
aware of his penchant to look back.
Bob had the chance to read the book's
new chapters as they were written and
provided inspiration as only he could.
Then he went on to write a foreword
as only he would, developing a fitting
analogy of the Wright Brothers' quest
to fly with the crusade for conservation.
Knowing his last piece anchors the front
of this book will always matter to me. He
was a tremendous force in conservation.
I'd also like to recognize Game Commission
staff who found a way to move
this book forward as COVID-19 redefined
how government conducted business.
Bureau of Information and Education
Director Steve Smith and Executive
Director Bryan Burhans strongly supported
the project, paving the way for
it to happen. Game News editors Travis
Lau and Bob Frye served as my primary
editors; Bob D'Angelo also pitched in
proofreading and in developing an index.
And publication of the book would
not have been possible without Lori
Neely Mitchell, who laid out its pages.
Big books are huge projects for folks
who already have full plates of work
on their desks. But these staffers found
a way, without cutting corners. I am
thrilled with the results, and I will forever
be grateful for their attention-to-detail
and professionalism.
The book is now available for $24,95.
Through HuntFishPA and the Game
Commission's Paid Publications Section,
where orders can be placed by
calling 1-888-888-3459. Shipping and
handling fees apply.
Pennsylvania Game News - October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - October 2023
