New hunting and fishing licenses for 2001-2002 will be available beginning Aug. 15, and Texas Parks and Wildlife is urging customers to buy early and avoid the Labor Day Weekend rush.

All current annual hunting and fishing licenses expire on Aug. 31, and the dove hunting season opening the next day will bombard state's current electronic license sales system with nearly 300,000 license transactions amounting to more than $6.7 million in sales during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Texas issues 3.5 million hunting and fishing licenses annually through 28 TPW field offices, more than 100 state parks and at most sporting goods retailers across Texas.

As an added incentive to buy early and avoid possible delays, anyone who purchases a hunting or fishing license Aug. 15-25, 2001, will be automatically entered in a special drawing. Prizes include a Browning "Gold Hunter" semi-automatic 12- or 20-gauge shotgun ($800 value), a Browning semi-automatic .22-caliber GR-I rifle ($425 value), and a Castaway 7-foot popping rod and Shimano Curado casting reel ($200 value). The Parks and Wildlife Foundation of Texas Inc. will conduct the drawing. Complete contest rules will be available on the TPW Web site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/).

Some sportsmen will see a new look to their hunting and fishing licenses this fall as the state begins a transition to a new format. Rather than the sales receipt printout license of recent years, new printing technology will enable TPW to provide better graphics and a user-friendlier product, said Jayna Burgdorf, director of strategic projects for TPW. The new version will resemble the traditional Texas license with detachable game tags around the perimeter of the license.

A better looking license is one of the benefits of a new licensing system being developed by WorldCom, which last November signed a five-year contract to handle TPW license sales. New equipment is being installed at about 20 locations around the state in August, and the system is expected to be fully implemented at all license sales outlets later this year. Both license formats will be valid in the 2001-2002 license year.

Hunters and anglers may also purchase licenses by phone toll-free at (800) 895-4248. The phone license operation serves both Texans and non-residents, enabling hunters and anglers to buy licenses over the phone using a major credit card 24 hours a day. A license confirmation number is issued at the time of purchase, and the physical license is mailed separately. Confirmation numbers will verify that a license has been purchased but will not allow hunters to take fish or wildlife that requires a tag.

Anyone planning to hunt migratory game birds such as dove and waterfowl this year must be certified under the Harvest Information Program. HIP certification will automatically be printed on the license at the time of purchase after the purchaser answers a few brief questions. Hunters of migratory game birds should verify that HIP certification is printed on their licenses. Lifetime license holders must also be HIP-certified to hunt migratory birds.

Annual resident hunting and fishing licenses cost $19 each, $32 for a combination hunting and fishing license. For the avid outdoorsman, the Super Combo license includes a resident combination hunting and fishing license plus all seven state hunting and fishing stamps for $49. Sold separately, the face value of the Super Combo package is $82. Senior sportsmen can purchase the discounted Senior Super Combo license for $25 or a $10 senior combination hunting and fishing license.

Wherever licenses are sold, several other items for the 2001-2002 season are also available beginning Aug. 15, including Annual Public Hunting Permits and entries in Big Time Texas Hunt drawings.

The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more guided hunts with food and lodging provided. Proceeds are dedicated to providing more public hunting opportunity and funding wildlife conservation and research programs in Texas. In addition to the Texas Grand Slam -- a once-in-a-lifetime package containing four separate hunts for bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope and mule deer -- the Big Time Texas Hunts categories include the Texas Exotic Safari, Texas Whitetail Bonanza, Texas Waterfowl Adventure and Texas Big Time Bird Hunt. New this year and not yet on the license sales system are the Texas Premium Buck Hunt and the Texas Heritage Hunt. Applications in these new categories may be obtained by calling (800) 895-4248 or on the Web at (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/). Entries for the Big Time Texas Hunt drawings are $10 each. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase, and entries may be purchased as gifts for others. Purchasers must be 17 years of age or older.

The $40 Annual Public Hunting Permit allows hunters access to more than 1.2 million acres of other public hunting lands, including 137 hunting units exclusively for dove and other small game. A map booklet and supplement of dove lease maps will be mailed within a week of purchase of the permit at retail outlets; however, the map booklet and supplement can be obtained immediately by purchasing the permit at a TPW law enforcement office.