The Christmas season is at hand and shopping days are dwindling. Here in the Pine Tree State, chances are high that there’s at least one outdoor enthusiast on your gift list. Men and women, young and old are campers, hikers, hunters, boaters, bird watchers, anglers or wildlife photographers, and most need gear of some sort. Shopping for them should be a snap.
According to friends and family, and verified by my much beleaguered spouse of 50 years, finding just the right gift is often a chore. Experienced outdoorsmen and women are often very particular about their equipment, having learned over time from trial and error what works best. From sleeping bags to shotgun shells, boots to binoculars and fly rods to footwear, there’s often a precise preference.
The second stumbling block for shoppers is that when a piece of gear is lost, broken or malfunctioning, most sportsmen generally go out immediately and purchase a replacement. I can verify this lack of patience and “I need it now attitude” that frustrates folks trying to buy us presents. I do have some suggestions to help the gift selection process however, and a handful of new, innovative products to consider.
Be sneaky and check gun safes or ammo cabinets, fishing tackle boxes or storage drawers and closets where gift recipients store their equipment. That will pinpoint specific brands and calibers of ammo, gun cleaning material, weights and types of lines and leaders and lots of other info. If the gift recipient isn’t an immediate family member, enlist help from family to play detective and offer advice.
If you’re shopping for a target shooter or hunter, they always need ammunition, and many shells and reloading components have been in short supply since the COVID pandemic shut down manufacturing for so long. Supply is improving, but prices are elevated and the selection is somewhat limited, so check local shops or go online if necessary to find just the right rifle, handgun or shotgun shells at the best prices — and better buy a couple of boxes.
Every shooter needs targets. Sighting in hunting guns, target practice or just plinking with the .22 all require proper targets. The old black-and-white bullseyes are still available, but now there are vividly colored targets that show a fluorescent dot where the bullets strike that can be seen easily from afar. They come with multiple peel-off dots to cover holes so the target can be used for an extended outing. Some of the targets are all peel and stick so no pins or staples are needed.
If there are skeet and trap shotgunners on your list, how about a box of clay targets, often called pigeons or birds, for a gift? A lot of shotgunners practice year round, offering family and friends a chance to improve wingshooting skills and enjoy some friendly competition. A hand thrower costs only $10 or $15, and a mechanical thrower that handles multiple clay targets can be purchased for $50 and up depending on features. Perhaps a whole setup would be a great gift for an entire family that enjoys shooting.
Any fisherman on Santa’s route will need a few new flies, lures or bass plugs. How about a new landing net, a smaller one for stream fishing or a larger boat net? The newer models no longer use string, nylon or fiber, but a rubberized synthetic material that’s easier on fish being released since it doesn’t disturb their protective body slime. Fish and hooks are far less likely to tangle on the thicker, heavier net material as well.
If there’s a waterfowler on your gift list, especially a goose hunter, Higdon Outdoors is producing a new silhouette goose and duck decoy called Flats. These are full size with vivid color and feather detail in feeding and alert poses, with Canada, snow and specklebelly goose as well as mallard duck models available in stationary or motion styles.
At $80 to $120 per dozen, Flats are perfect for building a larger spread with fewer expensive full body or shell decoys and much easier to transport and quicker to set out. Visit higdonoutdoors.com for more info or to order and to see the new flocked models.
Regardless of your favorite outdoor pastime afield or afloat, sooner or later everybody needs a dependable light source. On some occasions it’s even a matter of life or limb. I’ve found two excellent choices, one at each end of the size and brightness scale. There are myriad sizes and styles of flashlight, but for a compact, lightweight illumination source that leaves both hands free to set out decoys, fix a flat tire or tie a fly, a headlamp is the answer.
Check out Black Diamonds Distance LT 1100. Its interchangeable lithium USB rechargeable battery pack offers three levels of light intensity lasting several hours. Dust proof, submersible, multi-beam options and pivoting optics are more great features. There’s a dimming switch, a strobe mode, red, green, and blue LED modes as well as a patented lock to prevent accidental operation when stored in pack or pocket. This gem is just over $100. Visit blackdiamondequiptment.com for more.
Cabela’s CSL 2500-lumen spotlight turns night into day for boaters, ATV or snowmobile outings, camping and most other outdoor forays. This camo pattern, ergonomic handheld light is waterproof and even floats, is shock resistant from 3-meter drops and offers illumination out to 710 meters.
The CSL spotlight has a comfortable rubberized pistol grip, an integrated adjustable hands free stand, a high-strength adjustable lanyard and its 7,800 mAh lithium battery even doubles as a portable USB power bank. Retailing for $89 , Cabelas Club members pay only $69. Check in store or online.
My final gift idea is for someone really high up on the nice list: the Avery Finisher folding panel blind in MAX 7 camo. This lightweight, sturdy unit can be set up in minutes along a field, pond, or stream edge and make one to four hunters nearly invisible. It’s also proven very effective for turkey, deer, bear and moose hunting. Folded dimensions are 4’X 3’X6” and only 31 pounds for easy transport.
The blind has integrated stubble straps if adding more real brush is desired, and mesh-covered, adjustable window ports obscure faces yet allow shooters a wide open view. Mobility is a prime asset to most hunting outings and this blind moves easily between locations and allows you to hide in plain sight. Check banded.com for this blind and lots of other top rate hunting gear and clothing.
A new hunting or fishing license will be needed a week after Christmas, which is a great stocking stuffer. A subscription to a favorite outdoor magazine or perhaps a book on a favorite hobby or sports pastime will help pass a few cold winter nights. Finally, if all else fails, a gift certificate for sporting goods allows the recipient to select just what they want.
Here’s hoping Santa finds your chimney and you’re on his nice list. Have a safe, healthy holiday.
