Gift for the Outdoor Enthusiast that Can Last a Lifetime

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, it has the perfect gift to the outdoorsman, woman or child, and Santa should take notice.

As the holiday season approaches, the DNR is offering gifts "guaranteed to please hunters, anglers and other wildlife enthusiasts, and benefit the wildlife and wild places they enjoy.

According to a press release from the DRN, these gifts  can be found at www.georgiawildlife.com and include:

Lifetime Sportsman Licenses

With a lifetime license, the Georgia resident hunter or angler on your gift list will not need to pay for another state hunting or fishing license. Ever! From hunting trophy whitetails to casting for lunker largemouths, their cherished recreation is covered.

Prices are set by age group:

• Residents 65 and older can receive a free lifetime license, with an option to pay a one-time fee of $10 for a durable, commemorative plastic card.
• The best bargain is for children: $200 for under 2 years old and $350 for kids age 2 to 15. That’s a potential savings of more than $2,600 over a lifetime.
• The price for ages 16 to 59 is $500.
• Discount lifetime licenses for resident adults age 60 to 64 are $95.

Applications and document details are at www.georgiawildlife.com/LifetimeLicense.

Another gift to consider:

Annual GORPs

A Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass, or GORP, is required for non-hunting or non-fishing recreation such as birding, horseback riding and hiking at 32 sites managed by the Wildlife Resources Division. Sites include the popular Crockford Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in northwest Georgia; Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, about one hour east of Atlanta;  and Grand Bay WMA in southeast Georgia.

According to the DNR, one of the best bargains for outdoors lovers is the annual GORP. Good for a year from the date of purchase, the annual permit costs only $19 for people ages 16 to 64. (Those older than 64 and younger than 15 are exempt from the pass.) GORPs are available at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes, by phone (800-366-2661) and from license retail agents (www.georgiawildlife.com/LicenseAgents). Transaction fees apply. Social Security number required. Get details at www.georgiawildlife.com/Georgia-Outdoor-Recreational-Pass.

Why consider one of these gifts? 

According to the DNR, in 2011 90 million Americans, 38 percent of the U.S. population 16 years old and older, enjoyed some form of fishing, hunting or wildlife-associated recreation. This represented an increase of 9 percent from 2006 to 2011 in hunting participation and 11 percent in angling. Also, as well as the personal benefits of these gifts, the revenue also helps support Georgia's wildlife and state-managed lands. A total of more than $14 billion in revenue from these licenses and taxes on sporting equipment nationwide since 1937 has helped states manage fish and wildlife and provide recreational opportunities.