The holiday season is here and shopping days are dwindling. Most gift-givers likely have at least one outdoor enthusiast on their list — someone who hikes, camps, hunts, fishes, boats, bird-watches or enjoys photography.
Finding the perfect gift can be tricky. Outdoor enthusiasts are often particular about their gear, favor specific brands and styles and don’t like to wait. Here are some ideas for essential replacement items and innovative new products that make great holiday gifts.
Fishing gear that makes a splash
Anglers can always use a few new flies, lures or bass plugs to replace ones lost or ruined by overuse.
A new landing net, small for stream fishing or larger for boat use, is a practical and thoughtful gift. Newer nets are made from rubberized synthetic material instead of string, nylon or fiber. This material is easier on fish, preserves protective slime and keeps hooks and lines from tangling.
Gifts for hunters and shooters
If your recipient is a .22 plinker, skeet shooter or target gunner, they will need shells or reloading supplies for next year.
Every gun or archery enthusiast also needs new targets. Options include paper targets for sighting in, clay throwing targets for shotgunners and dense foam squares or animal replicas for archery.
Traditional black-and-white bullseye circles are still available, but modern targets feature fluorescent strike indicators visible from afar. Some have peel-off dots to cover bullet holes, extending the target’s life. Certain targets are peel-and-stick with no pins or staples needed.
If you’re buying for someone who isn’t immediate family, enlist other family members to help spot what’s needed.
Comfort in the field
Long hours outdoors often mean sitting on uncomfortable surfaces. A few quality products can make a huge difference.
ThermSeat, based in Peterborough, New Hampshire, makes cushions that transform long hunts and fishing trips. Three-inch-thick two-man cushions, single tree stand seats and kneeling pads provide warmth, comfort and support on uneven, rocky or wet surfaces.
The Blackout Comfort Support blind chair is another standout. It’s built from weather-resistant Dura-mesh fabric with a padded seat and backrest, fold-down armrests and 360-degree swivel.
The chair is stable on uneven ground thanks to adjustable duck feet and folds for easy transport. Weight capacity is 350 pounds. It’s a great gift for hunters, waterfowlers, ice fishers or anyone who spends time in a ground blind or boat.
Archery enthusiasts
Blackout also makes high-quality archery targets. Multiple-sided foam blocks and dense animal replicas suit backyard practice or range use. Some targets are designed for crossbow bolts, perfect for hunters adopting the increasingly popular sport.
Safety first
Outdoor adventures are rewarding but unpredictable. A Garmin inReach Mini 2 is compact, weatherproof and shockproof, providing satellite messaging, interactive SOS, location tracking, digital compass and weather updates even where cell service is unavailable.
Battery life can last up to 14 days. A flexible subscription plan makes this device accessible and lifesaving, making it a top-tier gift.
Bonus ideas
A new hunting or fishing license is a great stocking stuffer. A subscription to a favorite outdoor magazine or a book on a hobby will help pass cold winter nights.
When in doubt, gift certificates to local or national outdoor retailers allow recipients to select exactly what they want.