Visitors to Maine’s state parks and historic sites can begin purchasing 2007 season passes. Those passes will be honored by the Bureau of Parks & Lands from the date of purchase until Dec. 31, 2007.

Season passes are very popular with park visitors. In 2005, more than 7,800 vehicle passes and 1,000 individual passes were sold.

“Each year more than 2 million people come through our gates,” said Department of Conservation Commissioner Patrick K. McGowan. “We know that many of them come more than once, or visit more than one park. A season pass is economical and efficient.”

Passes can be purchased at any state park or historic site reception booth, or from the Bureau of Parks & Lands in Augusta.

There are two types of passes available, both for day-use only. Vehicle passes, which admit all occupants of vehicles sporting the pass, cost $60. Individual passes cost $30.

State park season passes are not valid at Baxter State Park, Scarborough Beach State Park or the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

Passes may also be purchased on-line at www.mainestateparkpass.com.

Mainers get free park pass

Maine residents will be admitted free to all Maine state parks and historic sites on Aug. 26. “Maine Residents Day” is an annual event for the Maine Department of Conservation and the Bureau of Parks & Lands.

Maine’s 47 state parks and historic sites are spread across the state, from West Quoddy Head to the New Hampshire border.

Bucksport club holds open house

The Bucks Mills Rod & Gun Club in Bucksport will hold an open house on Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The event will feature plenty of displays, including antique firearms and ammunition, fly fishing, fly tying, trapping techniques and turkey calling.

There will also be information available about the club’s firearms and archery ranges, hunter safety programs, the annual fishing derby, club library and charities that the club supports.

Kids can take advantage of the BB gun shoot, archery shoot and a casting contest.

Bean-hole beans with all the fixings will be served for just $6, and door prizes and raffles will be held.

Admission is free. The club is located at 359 Bucks Mills Road in Bucksport.

Tree farm field day scheduled

The Maine Tree Farm Committee will sponsor a field day on Aug. 26 at Timberdoodle Farm in Eddington, which is run by the 2006 Maine Tree Farmers of the Year, Mal and Dorothy Coulter.

The field day will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Considerable emphasis is placed on wildlife at the tree farm, and some of the tours and discussion will emphasize wildlife, as well as managing wood products.

For more information, call Mal Coulter at 843-7391.

DU chapter planning banquet

The Down-East Chapter of Ducks Unlimited is making plans for its annual banquet and fund-raiser.

This year’s event will be held Sept. 21 at the Bangor Banquet and Conference Center on Hogan Road.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:30, and a live auction and raffle will follow.

Tickets are available for $50 for a single, $70 for a couple, and $30 for youths under age 18.

For ticket information, call Tom Duff at 989-2609 or David Poll at 884-4592.

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.