Christmas for the outdoor enthusiast made easy

Out & About, by Howard Delo

By the time you read this, Christmas will be only a few days away. Most magazines and newspapers have already run their "Presents for the Outdoors Person" suggestions. I've read several of them and, while a lot of the recommended stuff looks intriguing, I've either already got something like it or I can't afford it. So, I'll suggest a few things for us lower middle-income types.

A new hunting, fishing, trapping, or combination license for the coming calendar year helps eliminate those pesky citations the "Brown Shirts" are prone to write. However, a license isn't something you can just buy for that "what-to-get" person on your list because of the detailed information and required signature. Pick up a gift certificate specifically for that new license from a store that sells both licenses and gift certificates.

Having a good, usable first aid kit can be a lifesaver. A kit small enough to carry in a fanny pack takes some thought, but there are several basic kits that can be easily customized for your particular needs. Check with your family doctor about recommended basic "ingredients" and then shop the outdoor specialty stores around town. These folks should get you pointed in the right direction toward building a personalized first aid kit.

Since we're talking safety, how about a full body harness for those of you who hunt from tree stands or elevated platforms? I use a tree stand at my bear bait site. While hunting, I have found several elevated stands folks use for moose hunting. A fall getting into or out of a stand, or falling asleep and taking a spill have proven deadly, even with a standard chest harness. The full body harness transfers your weight to your thighs while a chest harness can restrict your breathing, leading to suffocation.

For my birthday, my wife gave me a gift certificate from a local sports fishing specialty store. While I drooled over the brass-framed baitcasting reels in the showcase, I used the certificate to get new, high-quality fishing line for my king salmon reels; top-quality treble hooks to replace the factory hooks on my favorite king salmon lures, and some new baits to try on northern pike (if we ever get some ice). I got stuff I can really use and I can continue to drool over the reels, of course!

If you don't know exactly what the recipient wants, but you do know what they enjoy doing, a gift certificate from a store that caters to their interests is never a bad idea. I learned a long time ago that my tastes in women's clothing usually don't match my wife's. However, she loves a gift certificate from a store where she can shop for clothes or jewelry. She gets to pick the gift and I get the credit. How can you loose?

Here are some other gift suggestions. A friend has developed an interest in shooting muzzleloading rifles. He hopes to hunt for moose or other critters with them. I got him a subscription to a muzzleloading-hunting magazine. I have found the magazine to be both informative and entertaining. I hope he does, too.

We have given gift certificates to other friends over the years for an evening out at one of the finer local restaurants. Also, both my mother and my mother-in-law appreciate receiving one of those prepaid phone cards each Christmas season. They're more inclined to call and chat if they're not worried about the cost of long distance.

I find, as I get older, I'm becoming more practical in my gift giving. Since I can't afford that month vacation in Hawaii my wife dreams about, I'll probably get her a nice picture of palm trees on a beach somewhere and a gift certificate from the Burlington Coat Factory. She won't be thrilled, but at least she'll be warm!