It's that time of the year again. Current year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except year-to-date fishing licenses) expire Aug. 31, and new licenses for 2013-2014 will go on sale beginning Thursday, Aug. 15. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issues about 2.1 million hunting and fishing licenses annually through the agency's 28 field offices, more than 58 state parks and at over 1,600 retailers across Texas. Licenses may also be purchased online through the TPWD Web site, www.tpwd.state.tx.usbuy or by phone (800-895-4248) with a $5 convenience fee required for each transaction, Call center hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday -- Friday. The online transaction system is available 24/7. A transaction receipt may be printed at the time of purchase for online and a confirmation number is provided for phone orders. The physical license is mailed separately. Confirmation numbers will verify that a license has been purchased, which is sufficient for dove hunting, but will not allow hunters to take fish or wildlife that require a tag. In addition to a license, hunters need to be Hunter Safety certified. If you are 17 or over you must successfully complete a Hunter Safety course. A one-time deferral is available if the hunter was born after September 2, 1971 and is accompanied in the field by an adult safety certified hunter. There are two ways to obtain Hunters Safety certification. One is through attendance at a structured class, a minimum of 10 hours over at least 2 days. Students need to score at least 70 percent on the 50-question multiple-choice test and demonstrate appropriate skills and attitude. This class is particularly suited to students under 17 and inexperienced hunters or shooters. The second way to attain hunter safety certification is through a home study class. Students complete the homework requiring about 4 - 6 hours. The student then attends a Home Study Field Course session. A listing of Hunter Safety classes is found at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/outdoor-learning/hunter-education Photo: Hunter Safety certification required if you are over 17 or born after Sept 2, 1971.