Sportsmen's Christmas presents - ideas for stocking stuffers

JEROME - Want to get your outdoorsmen a gift they can use all year long? Look no further than your local hunting and fishing license vendor. This year the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and license vendors across the state are offering a variety of gifts that will warm the heart in several price ranges. For the big spender, look at a lifetime hunting and fishing license. Regardless of your age, the purchase of a lifetime license could be the best investment you ever make. For young ones, 0-1 years of age, a combination license costs $726.50. An individual lifetime hu8nting license will cost $251.50, while a fishing license is $551.50. For people 2-50 years of age, combinations lifetime license sells for $1,016.50 or you can purchase a lifetime hunting license for $351.50, or fishing license for $771.50. If you're 51 years and older, a combination lifetime license sells for $581.50 or purchase a lifetime hunting or fishing license for $201.50 or $441.50. The lifetime licenses can only be purchased at Idaho Fish and Game headquarters in Boise or regional offices. The Magic Valley Regional Office is located at 868 E. Main Street in Jerome. If you are living on a tighter budget, an annual license may be the ticket. Licenses for 2005 went on sale the December 1st. For the avid outdoorsmen, look at purchasing the Sportsmen's Package for $107. This gives them their hunting and fishing license, plus tags for deer, elk, bear, mountain lion, turkey, salmon, and steelhead. Archery and muzzleloader are also validated on the Sportsman's Pack license. This is nearly a $70 savings over buying each item separately. Combination hunting and fishing licenses also make a great gift. Cost is $30.50 for adults and $16 for youth between the ages of 14-17. Senior license for those 65 and older and who have been a resident of Idaho for at least five years, is $4.50. If playing games of chance is more your style, Idaho Fish and Game also offering lottery tickets for Super Hunts (individual tags for deer, elk antelope or moose) and Super Hunt Combos for deer, elk, antelope, and moose. These tickets help your sportsmen in two ways; first it gives them the opportunity to hunter their favorite big game animal in any hunting unit they wish, and the money for the tickets is used to purchase access to private land for all the sportsmen in the state. Super hunt tickets cost, $4.95 each; $19.95 for six, and $49.95 for 13. Super Hunt Combos cost $19.95 each; $99.95 for six, and 199.95 for 13. The drawing for the all super hunts will be held June 15, 2005. If you want to let your sportsman choose their own combination of licenses and tags, purchase them a gift certificate for any dollar amount. Certificates are available from any Idaho Department of Fish and Game Regional Office. Please note: certificates can only be redeemed at Idaho Fish and Game Regional Offices. For more information, call the Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome at 324-4359.