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Membership News - October 30, 2007

1. MPGA Meetings:

• Membership - Sunday, December 2, 2007 at 9:00 AM. Super Raffle winners will be drawn. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.
• Board of Directors - Sunday, January 6, 2007 at 9:00 AM. Location is the Holiday Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor.

Members are welcome to attend all Board meetings.

Welcome Back LL Bean!

2. Hunting & Fishing Store Grand Opening November 2nd

LL Bean will hold a Grand Opening of its new Hunting & Fishing Store this weekend. There will be many special activities throughout the weekend, beginning with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday.

"Hunting and fishing has always been an important part of our culture. It's at the heart of our heritage. It's part of our foundation, so we're very excited to be carrying this outdoor heritage and tradition in such an impactful way with this wonderful new store," said Chris McCormick, LL Bean's President and CEO.

Visit LL Bean and celebrate the Hunting & Fishing Store's return to the main store building in Freeport. Now you can do all your shopping in one building. The new store is twice the size of the former Hunting & Fishing store, and includes a larger fish aquarium; a full-service pro shop for custom fitted bows, arrows; repairs of bows, rods and reels; and an indoor virtual archery range. The store is now stocked with more products than ever, including trolling motors, downriggers and electronics.

Special events include:

• Friday, November 2nd, 8:30 AM - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, followed by the doors opening at 9:00 AM. The first 200 in line will receive gift cards ranging in value from $25 to $500!
• Saturday, November 3rd, 4:30 AM - Free hunter's breakfast.

Be sure to let your deer hunters know about the new store. They won't want to miss it.

3. MPGA's Most Popular ProPlan Sponsor is LL Bean:

MPGA's ProPlan is alive and well. Many sponsors, including our most popular, LL Bean, offer MPGA members special discounts.

LL Bean gives up to 33% off on most items. Known exceptions to this are: No discount on GPS Systems or ANY SALE ITEMS; and 20% discount on binoculars, cameras, tripods, snowboarding equipment, Sage and Loomis fishing rods and decoys. The discount is available throughout the year, EXCEPT between November 15 and December 31.

This is a special deal we have arranged. All orders must be placed through our ProPlan Coordinator, Bob Parker. You can not get the discount at the store. In addition, the products you may order must be in the appropriate catalog that matches your guiding privileges (hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation) - the program is not for general merchandise and clothing.

Note: Under no circumstances should a member of MPGA address any problem or issue concerning this program's policy or procedure with a LL Bean associate! Doing so endangers this discount program for all other members. ALL problems must be communicated through the ProPlan Coordinator. Any member who chooses to disobey this rule will no longer be eligible to place LL Bean orders through the discount program. This will be strictly enforced. This is a generous discount program that LL Bean is allowing us to participate in. It is their program and they make the rules. We follow them!

We will be adding ProPlan information on our website during next year. For current information on the ProPlan, a list of participating sponsors, and procedures for placing an order from LL Bean, contact Bob Parker, our Treasurer and ProPlan Coordinator, by email (info@maineguides.org) or telephone (207-778-4077).

Attention Hunting Guides

4. Help MPGA Stay Involved:

MPGA strives to protect guides' interests at these and many more meetings and events. It is vital that policy makers hear from us. This can only happen if MPGA has the funds to support the effort. That takes your help.

Now is the best time to sell Super Raffle Tickets!

Your hunters will buy them - all you need to do is show them your recent MPGA newsletters, and then -

• Explain that the money goes toward MPGA's lobbying effort in Augusta to maintain their privilege to continue hunting in Maine.
• Explain how MPGA lead the fight to protect bear hunting in Maine.
• Explain how MPGA created the Deer Task Force to re-build northern Maine's deer herd.
• Explain how MPGA created the Sportsman/Forest Landowner Alliance to maintain access for hunting opportunities.
• Explain how MPGA participates in numerous Task Forces and Committees to maintain access for hunting, fishing and boating. Including:
  • The Governor's Task Force on the Management of Public Lands.
  • The Governor's Task Force on Access for Traditional Uses.
  • The Bureau of Parks & Lands Management Planning Committees.
  • The Land for Maine's Future funds that buy lands and access rights for hunting.

The Super Raffle is our major fundraiser. Its success is vital to MPGA's continued efforts in Augusta.

Note: Prizes will be drawn on December 2nd. All tickets and moneys must be turned in by November 25. Thanks for your cooperation.

For info on the prizes, and a printable ticket order form, visit MPGA's Super Raffle website.

For other information, and for pre-printed tickets, contact Bert Goodman at (207) 528-2320.

5. Super Raffle Incentive Program:

NEW - Prizes will be awarded to anyone who sells tickets!

• Sell $1,500 in tickets - win a Marlin 45/70 Guide Gun with MPGA emblem.
• Sell $1,000 in tickets - win a $200 LL Bean Gift Certificate.
• Sell $500 in tickets - win a $100 LL Bean Gift Certificate.

Note: You must include a contest registration form when submitting your ticket money and stubs. Otherwise you will not qualify for the prizes.

For info on the incentive program, and a printable contest entry form, visit MPGA's Super Raffle Contest webpage.

For other information on the incentive program, and for pre-printed tickets, contact Bert Goodman at (207) 528-2320.

Visit the MPGA Website for more news and info.