Alabama’s hunting and fishing licenses for the 2008-2009 seasons will go on sale Aug. 27.

The license year starts annually on Sept. 1, but this year that day falls on a holiday, Labor Day. The early sales date is designed to allow people to fish during the holidays and not have to interupt their weekend activities to purchase their new annual license, according to a press release from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The August 27 sale date will allow customers to purchase all the licenses they will need throughout the year at one time and place.

A resident annual freshwater fishing license costs $12; resident annual saltwater fishing licenses are $29. All recreational annual licenses, regardless of the date purchased, will expire August 31, 2009.

In addition to vendors such as retail stores and probate offices, licenses will also be available for purchase with a credit card at www.outdooralabama.com and by telephone at 888-848-6887.