An outdoorsmen’s wish list

If there’s a diehard outdoor sportsman on your Christmas list locating just the right present can often be a problem since most hunters and anglers already seem to have one of everything.
Here are some nifty ideas for outdoor gifts to wrap and put under the tree.
A small painting or print depicting a favorite type of hunting or fishing, a special hunting dog or a unique game animal will keep on giving pleasure every time it’s viewed. Another option is to have a photograph of a favorite outdoor event enlarged to at least 8-by-10 for a wall mount in the office or den. Carved decoys or small decorative replicas of favorite game animals, birds or fish are always pleasing as well.
A box of shotgun or rifle shells make great stocking stuffers, as does a few dry flies or tandem streamer flies. Anglers never have enough flies and shooters go through a lot of ammo every season. Bass casters appreciate a couple of new topwater plugs or some plastic worms, lizards or crayfish. Don’t forget hooks and bullet weights. All these items can be purchased for twenty five dollars or less.
Two items that outdoorsmen never seem to have enough of are knives and flashlights. In the way of lights, one great gift that serves a purpose in dozens of outdoor situations is a head lamp. Small, compact headlamps offer the chance to carry items in both hands, paddle a boat in the dark, clean fish at dusk or repair a motor, gun or fishing rod in reduced light situations with both hands free. Headlamps can be bought with rechargers as well as diffuse and concentrated beam light bulbs and are totally waterproof, all for less than $40.
In lieu of a new pocket or belt knife this year, buy your woodsman a small folding saw and belt sheath. The fold-out blade can be 6- to 10-inches, is incredibly sharp and indispensable when building a duck blind, deer stand or opening a path for a bear bait and setting a tree stand. It can also be used to field dress big game when a bone saw isn’t available. Various sizes, qualities and brand names cost from $20 to $50.
Folding multipurpose tools in belt sheaths have taken the place of Swiss army knives over the last few years. This year’s top tool is Leatherman’s Vista Pruner; heavy duty shears, a saw, an awl, a knife blade, choke tube tool, two screwdrivers, a bottle opener and a wire cutter; all for $70. Full size tools average $50.
There are some beautiful cups and mugs with imprints or paintings of favorite dogs, fish, birds or salmon and trout flies that are fairly inexpensive, enjoyable to look at and useful. Other last minutes presents include a new compass, a duck or goose call, a pair of hand knit wool socks or a set of warm hunting gloves. Another idea is a new hunting or fishing license for the New Year.
A subscription to a favorite magazine will keep the sportsman current about the new products, “how to” information and where to go for special outings.
A hard cover book full of exciting outdoor adventures can help beat the cabin fever of long winter nights. Informative books that help the reader learn to tie flies, build rods, construct plugs and lures or reload ammunition can really help pass the winter months as well as teach a lifelong hobby.
There are DVDs available about exotic hunting and fishing locales with truly great action and adventure to watch and rewatch. A wide range of computer video games offer fun, excitement and competition at fishing, duck hunting and big game hunting.
Graphics and sound are very realistic, and various levels of difficulty reflect the true challenge of hunting and fishing.
Players must select their own rods, flies, lures and even what species of fish they wish to catch and what real waterway to explore. Hunters choose a state or country, gear, provisions, guns and ammo and which big game animal to pursue.
The computer controls the time of year and day, weather and water conditions, terrain and frequency of animal appearance, based on the player’s use of scents, calls and proper hunting techniques.
Most of the magazine, books, DVDs and games can be purchased for around $35 or less.
A final gift idea that can be used by any outdoorsman is a gift certificate to a local sporting goods store or one of the well known outdoor catalogs.