Every hunter and angler needs a new sporting license with the start of the calendar year, and all 2003 sporting licenses are now on sale. The Department has once again held the line on fee increases, and all licenses are the same price they have been since 1996.You can get your license online at www.mefishwildlife.com, at our headquarters at 284 State Street in Augusta or any of our 1000 agents statewide.

And if you have a young hunter or angler in your family, or a senior sportsman, why not get them a gift that will last them a lifetime - the lifetime license. They are available in different combinations for different ages at different price levels and are for Maine residents only. These special licenses are good even if you make the mistake of moving out of Maine - you can still come back to hunt or fish and not worry about having to buy a license. Get your application at your local town office or come get the license right at our headquarters in Augusta.

The department also has a line of quality IFW logo merchandise. Fleece vests, T-shirts, hats, jackets, travel mugs are just a few of the items that are available with the distinctive IFW state shield. Come to our headquarters to see the selection, or shop online at www.mefishwildlife.com.

For the wildlife watcher on your list, give them a gift that shows you care. Sign them up as a W.E. C.A.R.E supporter. The W.E. C.A.R.E. (Wildlife Enthusiast's Conservation Appreciation Recreation and Enjoyment) program is designed to give everyone the opportunity to help protect Maine's wildlife. All funds received through this program go directly to the protection of Maine's non-game, endangered and threatened species. A person can become a member of the W.E. C.A.R.E program for just $19.00. In appreciation of their support, we will send them a 2003 calendar that features Maine's wildlife in vivid color, and also a decal that shows others that they too are a steward for Maine's wildlife.

The Maine Wildlife Park offers family season passes and individual tickets as gifts The 200-acre park, has over 25 different species of wildlife on exhibit, including moose, black bear, fisher, lynx, mountain lions, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles, hawks, owls, trophy trout and more. The cost for the season pass is $30.00 for individuals and $45 for families.

And don't forget, subscriptions to Maine's Fish and Wildlife Magazine are available at 14.95 for a year, and books such as the Critters of Maine, and Fishes of Maine are also available. Posters like Animal Tracks, Mammals of Maine, Coldwater and Warmwater gamefishes of Maine are also all available at our headquarters; open daily from 8:00 until 5:00 p.m., and our online store.