The Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, which is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, enjoyed its best season ever in 2007, according to a DIF&W press release.

More than 108,000 visits to the park were recorded, and the park generated nearly $590,000 in revenue.

That represents a 12.9 percent increase in visitations and a 31.3 percent increase in total revenue over 2006.

“Maine residents and out-of-state tourists are drawn to our special events and our wildlife and conservation education programming for children, DIF&W natural science educator Lisa Kane said.

Kane credited good weather, along with diversified advertising and public relations efforts, for the increased visitation. Visitors from Germany, England, Bulgaria, Australia, Hungary and Japan were recorded.

The Maine Wildlife Park is expected to open for the season in mid-April. This week classroom teachers across the state received brochures detailing 2008 school programs and tours.

For more information, go to www.mainewildlifepark.com.

Presque Isle gun show on tap

The Presque Isle Fish & Game Club is holding a gun show this weekend at the Northeastland Hotel in Presque Isle.

The show runs from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday.

L.L. Bean plans fishing expo

Some of the biggest names in the history of fishing will be at L.L. Bean on March 15 and 16 for L.L. Bean’s annual Spring Fishing Expo.

The legends of fishing are Lefty Kreh, Dave Whitlock, Emily Whitlock, Stu Apte, Mark Sosin and Flip Pallot.

The “Legends of Fishing” will be participating in a panel discussion at 3 p.m. March 15 and 1 p.m. March 16. A meet-and-greet reception for the fishing celebrities is also planned March 15 at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served. In addition, the fishing celebrities will also be available most of the weekend to sign their books, DVD’s and more.

“It is extremely rare to have talent of this caliber in one place at one time,” said Ken Kacere, L.L. Bean senior vice president and general manager of retail in a press release. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the first large-scale event at our new Hunting & Fishing Store than by having some of the biggest names the fishing world has ever seen available to meet and talk with our customers.”

Featured celebrity fly tyers will be David Klausmeyer, Bob Popovics and Mike Martinek. Other weekend highlights include free fly-casting lessons, kids’ activities, and a variety of demonstrations, clinics and seminars including presentations by Harry Vanderweide and several L.L. Bean experts. Emily Jones of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be conducting a special presentation on getting children involved in fishing.