“Snap out of it’” my bride admonishes, recognizing my dreamy, faraway look from years of experience. “Try to concentrate and be realistic this Yule; make a list of what you need, not all the crazy stuff you wish you could have!” As readers might have already discerned, I love the holidays and am still just a big kid at heart during Christmas.
On first consideration, compiling a gift list might seem a bit adolescent for a man my age, but in truth why take a chance on getting duplicate presents or items you won’t use, why not make shopping easier for family and friends. It’s been a win-win situation for me. Perhaps some of my outdoor readers will find it a rewarding idea too, just jot a list of various priced products to make shopping simpler.
Each and every year one of the first items every cast and blast enthusiast needs is a new hunting and fishing license as well as any additional permits and stamps. Another moderately priced but essential gift idea is a box of shotgun shells or rifle cartridges. For non-hunting spouses, children or friends, it’s easy to sneak a peek at the brand and type of shells currently being used and purchase the same item.
Two other moderately priced presents that every outdoorsman needs include a compact, bright flashlight and a sharp, good-quality jackknife. Buck 55 or 110 Folding Hunters are two of my favorites, but Case, Gerber and Benchmade all manufacture sturdy, top quality folding pocketknives for reasonable prices. For a compact, nearly indestructible LED flashlight, Surefire produces several models for outdoorsmen that are waterproof and offer multiple brightness options. Cabela’s and Streamlight styles tend to be less pricey, yet with many of the same features.
Another lighting option for sportsmen, who often need the use of both hands to dress and drag game animals, load a canoe, or set out decoys, is a headlamp. Models that clip to a cap bill can be had for 10-15 bucks, while those with adjustable head straps, rechargeable batteries, multiple colored beams, and various intensity LED lamps which tilt and swivel range from 25 to 60 dollars.
Whether you’re playing Santa for rod and gun enthusiasts, campers, canoers, hikers or just a handyman around the house, all will get regular use from a multi-tool. Leatherman was the original company and still most recognized name in compact utility tools, but dozens of other manufacturers now exist.
These 4-inch long wonders unfold, swivel, slide and flip to expose over a dozen different tool options to meet most any outdoor task. These mini-tool chests that are sheathed on a belt run from forty to over 100 dollars depending on name brand, style, and number of implements. They last a lifetime and help solve more boat, motor, vehicle, gun, rod, ATV, snowsled and camping problems that you can imagine.
If there’s a waterfowl hunter on your gift list, how about a new duck or goose call? There are a lot of high-tech plastic calls on the market but I’m still a believer in the look and tone of wood. An Olt 800 goose call or 115 duck call still makes magic music to bird’s ears for about $35.00.
Consider some decoys for that special goose hunter who has been very good all year. A box of GHG full-body, fully-flocked Elite decoys with motion stakes run about 200 dollars, but are so realistic that if a real honker lands it is difficult to tell the difference! GHG also makes duck decoys for field or water use that are just as effective and less expensive than the goose models.
A year’s subscription to a favorite hunting or fishing magazine always makes a great gift. Sign him or her up with an annual NRA or Ducks Unlimited membership and not only do you support outdoor causes but get a great magazine included. A new Delorme’s Maine Atlas and Gazetteer allows sportsmen to locate every hill, valley, pond, and stream in the state and all their access roads for less than 25 bucks.
Dry flies, trolling streamers, and lures such as Mooselook wobblers and Sutton Spoons are useful gifts for anglers. Warm wool socks, double-layer gloves, chemical hand and foot warmers and a cap or hat that covers the ears all offer extra warmth to ice fishermen.
Check out local outdoor goods outlets such as Ben’s Trading Post in Presque Isle, MACs in Houlton or Cameron’s gun Shop in Caribou for most of the items I’ve mentioned and many more options. If you can’t find it, I’ll bet they can order it in time for Christmas. For those traveling downstate, L.L. Bean, Cabela’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods are all worth a stop.
Happy Holidays to all Aroostook sportsmen and here’s hoping Santa (or one his many elves) finds your chimney and tree on Christmas Eve.
