Christmas may have passed, but if you’re still looking for a good last-minute (make that a later-than-last-minute gift) for an outdoors enthusiast, the state’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has an option for you.

The DIFW is offering a definitive book on Maine’s wildlife species that are at risk of extinction, and it is available on-line or at the DIFW headquarters for only $10.

The 117-page offering, titled Maine’s Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, is a full-color book written by Maine’s top endangered species experts.

The soft-cover book is touted as the only comprehensive description of all 49 Maine animals on state and federal endangered species lists, from Canada lynx and bald eagles to Blanding’s turtles and Tomah mayflies.

There are two full pages dedicated to each species, and each animal’s life history and conservation are discussed. Among the questions answered: Where do they live? What threatens their existence? What can we do to help imperiled species? A color photo or drawing helps readers identify each species, and a range map shows its approximate location in the state.

The book also covers the history and policies behind the Maine Endangered Species Act, describes the causes of species decline, explains the listing process, provides a complete list of species and offers some overall actions that can help.

The book is available at www.mefishwildlife.com, or by calling 287-8000. You can also order books through the mail by sending $13.50 for each book ordered to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Att: Information Center, 284 State Street, 41 State House Station, Augusta, 04333-0041. Make checks payable to Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Fund.

Stoeger releases hunting book

Stoeger Publishing has announced the release of Larry Weishuhn’s latest book, Mr. Whitetail’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon.

In the book, “Mr. Whitetail” travels in search of trophy animals in regions as diverse as the windswept praries of Saskatchewan, the arid hill country of northern Mexico, and the gravel hills of his native Texas.

In the 160-page book, Weishuhn recounts tales of the hunt and lessons learned through his extensive hunting career. Known as “Mr. Whitetail,” Weishuhn is one of North America’s most respected outdoor writers and wildlife biologists.

The book features more than 300 color photographs to accompany his tales of pursuing whitetails in Texas, brown bear in Canada, red stags in New Zealand, kudu in South Africa, moose north of the Arctic Circle, elk in British Columbia and roe deer in England.

Mr. Whitetail’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon is available for $24.95 at local Benelli and Stoeger firearms dealers and at neighborhood bookstores nationwide. You can also buy the book on the Internet at www.StoegerPublishing.com.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.