Sportsmen love their toys. Of course, they prefer to consider these toys as indispensable tools for the outdoors. Sometimes the best gift one can give to an outdoorsman is a tool or device that he might not either think to buy for himself or feel comfortable buying.
For that favorite sportsman or sportswoman on your Christmas list, here are some gift ideas that may come in handy as the clock ticks down to Dec. 25.
Lifetime hunting/fishing license
A lifetime license to hunt and fish is a gift that lasts forever, even if you move. A lifetime license is more expensive than a regular license, but the return on that investment is much greater.
One-year combination hunting/fishing license.
These are available Online (www.mefishwildlife.com) at all town offices, Rite Aid stores and most outdoor shops. If you are purchasing a combination or hunting license for someone, make sure you bring that person’s old license or proof of completion of a hunter safety course to where you purchase your license. License agents need that documentation to issue a new license.
Outdoor Books
For a comprehensive list of Maine outdoor books that are reasonably priced, check out the website www.maineoutdoorpublications.com. Any of them make a great Christmas gift. My two books, “Maine Deer Hunter’s Logbook, Vol. II and “Backtrack,” are useful additions to any sportsman’s nightstand. Ditto two great angler’s books by Bob Leeman, “Trolling Flies for Trout and Salmon” and “Fishing Maine Brooks, Rivers and Streams.”
Other gift ideas
Quality boot grease
Quality outdoor thermos (Available in camo)
Hudson Bay axe
Hunting Hot Seat (Fabric type best – no plastic)
Quality Long Underwear (Old ones lose their insulating value with use)
Good rain suit
Box of trout flies (Top six are Adams, Hornberg, Blue Dunn, Elk Hair Caddis, Grasshopper, Royal Coachman)
DeLorme’s New Book of Maine Fishing Depth Maps ($19.95)
If you’re really feeling flush, here are some big-ticket items:
Black powder rifle (muzzle-loader)
Power Ice Auger
GPS
Game Camera
Portable Ice Shack
Hunter’s Popup Tent Blind
Finally, some stocking stuffers: Bags of beef jerky, gift certificates, hand warmers, fishing lures, tippet material, fly dope, ammunition, WD-40, Leatherman, compass, a year’s subscription to the Northwoods Sporting Journal (732-4880 or www.sportingjournal.com), duct tape, wool socks, or foot warmers. If you’re gift buying for a trapper or an ice fisherman, drop a can or two of Dick Pinney’s Hard Core Hand Care. This stuff works miracles with dry and chapped hands and skin. More information is available by e mailing Dick himself at: DoDuckInn@aol.com. .
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