Every year for the last 20 years I’ve written a Christmas List article for the IPT.
If you don’t know what to buy the outdoorsman in your life take heart. Outdoorsmen love their gear and are easy to buy for BUT… their desires are very specific.
And manufacturers are more than happy to constantly churn out new “Must have items”. In fact, Bass Pro Shop used to have me write not one but five lists.
For hunters, fishermen, boat owners, campers and hikers. Well, let’s get started.
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If you don't have any money this year to buy your daddy or husband a gift, no biggee. My favorite outdoor activities are when my wife or daughters go with me. Here Kolby and I just packed out of the Frank Church River of No Return. Great daddy/daughter backpacking trip.
HUNTING
• There are a million calls he’ll want. Turkey, deer, elk, varmint, duck, goose, moose…
• Optics no longer do you have to buy from one of the big 3 European companies to get the best optics. Check out some of Vortex offerings.
They offer economical glass on up to top-notch for a good price.
• Irish Setter Wingshooter Steel Toe boots. They can double as work boots/upland bird hunting boots.
• Hornady ammo is my most accurate ammo.
• I wear 5.11 pants. They have zippered pockets so your truck keys, compass etc. doesn’t fall out while in the backcountry.
• Duck Camp makes some nice hunting shirts and hoodies.
• Browning makes some nice hoodies
• Bolle shooting glasses
• Clamtainer makes some awesome ammo boxes. I use them when flying.
• Hi-Mountain seasoning to make sausage and jerky
• Blue Book of Gun Values
FISHING
Oh my gosh, fishermen use a million items.
• Fishing rods/reels
• Lures
• Evolution tackle boxes. I have two and love them. They’re backpacks that hold treys.
• Daiwa rods and reels
• Rapala fillet knives
• Fishcizzle makes some cool fishing shirts
• My daughter found out about Fishe Wear. She says they have some cool gear for women.
• Fish Monkey Gloves. I like them but my daughter loves them
•Swab-its! makes some cool foam cleaning swabs.
•Otis cleaning gear. This is what I use. In fact, I just received a new Savage Renegauge and will use Otis gear to clean it for an upcoming sandhill crane/dove hunt.
•Frogg Togg rain gear
BOAT OWNER
• Boat owners always need new additions. Fish finders, life jackets, rod holders, paddles and the list goes on and on.
• SRD20 makes boat wash, wax and protectant
CAMPING
• I love Alps Mountaineering gear. I use their backpacks, sleeping pads, sleeping bags and tents. I like their dome tents.
• Camp Chef propane stove.
• Lantern
• I love old coffee pots. I pick mine up at garage sales/flea markets. I just picked my 10th one this weekend at a flea market.
• Tarp(s) You can always use 1•2 tarps.
• Ax, shovel
• Camp Chef cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens
KNIVES
Everyone uses a knife.
• For elite knives check out Diamond Blade Knives. They are friction forged and hold an edge for a long time. They all have awesome designs.
• For knife sharpening gear, check out what Smith’s Consumer Products offers.
I love their 8-inch, Tri-one but also love their 6-inch fine diamond stones. Their 2-stone combination stone is also very popular.
• For economical knives check out what Smiths Consumer Products offers.
• Knives of Alaska offers some well-designed hunting knives.
BACKPACKING
• I use Alps Mountaineering tents, sleeping bags, pads and packs.
• Small aluminum coffee pot
• Camp Chef backpacking stove
• Aquamira filtered water bottles
• Browning hiking socks
• MyTopo maps. Paige will/can make whatever kind of map that you need.
• Adventure Medical Kits first aid gear
• Hybrid Lite solar charged flashlights
SELF DEFENSE
• I met a retired cop at the Marsing gun show. He had what is called a Tactical Edge CTE holster. It is a flat piece of canvas. It has a holster and holds two mags. It is flat and slides into your backpack for easy access. Nifty.
• Umarex makes a HDP 50 pepper round pistol that shoots pepper balls.
• Sig Sauer 320 or 365 pistol.
• BRC9mm
• Just met this afternoon with USCAA (United States Concealed Carry Association, Inc.). They offer insurance in case you have to use deadly force to protect yourself or your family, which even when innocent, you can end up in a legal nightmare.
• Hornady self-defense ammo
• 5.11 Concealed Vest
• Versa Carry holsters
AIRGUNS
Air guns are wildly popular and for good reason. They’re fun to shoot and open up a lot more hunting opportunities.
• Umarex .25 cal. Gauntlet
• Umarex Synergis Underlever
•Umarex ReadyAir Portable Compressor
RIFLES
• Mossberg Patriot rifle. Economical but accurate.
• Lever actions. If you like lever actions then you know Henry. Too many cool ones to list. But three must haves their .22 mag, 30-30 and the big 45-70.
•Henry came out with a semi-auto 9mm called the Homesteader. What a fun rifle.
STOCKING STUFFERS
Here’s where you can really impress them for pocket change
• flydealflies.com Talk to Dan. This is where I get my flies.
• Z-man crappie plastics and jigs
• Fishcizzle make some way cool long sleeve fishing shirts.
• JSB pellets are the most accurate on the market.
• Tony Chachere’s seasoning. Add a Cajun flair to your wild game dishes.
A GIFT FIT FOR A KING
• Give a fishing at Waterfall Resort.
• If you’re a kid with no money, don’t panic. Give him a “I’ll go hunting/fishing all day with you” pass. I guarantee you that he’ll love that more than any gift in the world.
Tom Claycomb is a hunting enthusiast and writes a bi-monthly column for Great Basin Sun.