Ante Up hunters, anglers
Remember new licenses before heading to field, water
By MATT WILLIAMS Outdoors Writer

It is easy to overlook the little things when preparing for a hunting or fishing trip. One very important tool to place high on the Don't Forget list: A valid, 2007-08 Hunting/Fishing license. The license you used to hunt and fish in Texas last year expired on Aug. 31.

New licenses went on sale Aug. 15 at hundreds of vendor locations and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department field offices around the state. Licenses also can be purchased online through the TPWD web site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx. us/) or by calling (800) 895- 4248.

There is a $5 convenience fee for either option and a major credit card is required. License sales call center hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Online purchases can be made 24/7.

There are a variety of license classes to choose from to meet specific needs. What follows is a synopsis license types and costs obtained from the pages of the 2007-08 Texas Outdoor Annual:

Super Combo Package: This is by far the best deal for all around sportsmen. Includes resident hunting/fishing licenses and all the necessary stamp endorsements for archery, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing, upland game bird, and migratory game bird). Federal duck stamps must be purchased separately. Cost is $64

t Senior Super Combos, age 65 and over, $30.

t Resident Combination Hunting and Freshwater Fishing, $47.

t Resident Combination Hunting and Saltwater Fishing, $52.

t Resident Combination Hunting and All-Water Fishing, $57.

t Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Freshwater Fishing, $15.

t Senior Resident Combination Hunting and Saltwater Fishing, $20.

t Senior Resident Combination Hunting and All Water Fishing, $25.

t Resident Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing, Free

t Resident Active Duty Military Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package, Free.

t Lifetime Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing, $1,000.

t Lifetime Resident Hunting, $600.

t Lifetime Resident Fishing, $600.

t Resident Hunting, $23.

t Senior Resident Hunting, $6.

t Youth Hunting (resident of non-resident), $6.

t Non-resident general hunting, (valid to hunt any legal bird or animal, required stamp endorsements not included), $300.

t Non-resident Spring Turkey, $120.

t Non-resident Special Hunting, (See 2007-08 Outdoor Guide for explanation), $125.

t Non-resident 5-day Special Hunting, (valid for five consecutive days, see 2007-08 Outdoor Guide for explanation), $45.

t Non-resident Banded Bird Hunting, (see 2007-08 Outdoor Guide for explanation), $25.

Important Reminder: In addition to a hunting license, all wing shooters will need to purchase a game bird stamp. To hunt doves or teal in September, a Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required. Duck hunters also need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and receive HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification. HIP certification will be printed on the license at the time of sale only after the purchaser answers a few brief migratory bird questions. Lifetime license holders must also be HIP-certified and purchase the Federal Duck Stamp to hunt migratory birds. All other state stamp endorsements are included with a lifetime license.

There are other mandatory endorsements to consider at the time of purchase, too. An Upland Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required to hunt all non-migratory game birds, including turkey, quail, pheasant, chachalaca and lesser prairie chicken.

Resident Fishing

t Freshwater Package, $28.

t Saltwater Package, $33.

tAll-Water Package, $38.

t Senior Freshwater Package, $11.

t Senior Saltwater Package, $16.

t Senior All-Water Package, $21

t Special Resident All- Water License (for legally blind), $6.

t Year-from-Purchase All-Water Package, $45.

t One day All-Water, $10

Non-Resident Fishing

t Freshwater Package, $55.

t Saltwater Package, $60. t All-Water Package, $65.

t One-day All-Water, $15.

t Important Reminder: In addition to a hunting license, hunters should be sure they are HIP certified before hunting ducks and other migratory game birds. HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification is obtained by answering a few migratory bird questions when the license is purchased. Make sure the license vendor asks the questions in order to provide the most accurate data.

t See the 2007-08 TPWD Outdoor Annual for additional fishing/hunting license info.