Last minute gift ideas for the outdoorsman in your life

It’s down to the wire and Christmas is only a few days away. If you’re anything like me, you probably still have some Christmas shopping to do and are scrambling for ideas. Here are a few of my last-minute gift suggestions for the outdoorsman or woman in your life.

Top of my list is a headlamp. With as short as our days are this time of year, I don’t know how anybody gets around without one! From hauling firewood at home, to butchering moose in the dark, to fishing the early morning hours for sockeye on the Kenai in July, a headlamp should be on everyone’s gear list. I personally like rechargeable headlamps because I don’t like carrying extra batteries into the field with me.

Next is a nice set of game bags. I feel like I never have enough, especially after my last deer hunt where I used nine of them! I wash and sanitize mine to be reused, but sometimes they get exceptionally dirty or torn and have to be tossed. I like the Caribou Gear game bags for their durability and their design. They have bag sizes for every species, from blacktails to moose. Nothing would make me happier than finding a few wrapped under the tree every year.

A membership to a local shooting range also makes for a unique and thoughtful gift. Matanuska Valley Sportsmen’s Range and Birchwood Recreation and Shooting Park both provide membership options. Practicing handgun proficiency during the winter and dialing in a new load or mounting a new scope for a hunting rifle are critical to safety and success in the backcountry of Alaska.

One item that I know will be in my pack next year are a nice set of hunting-specific ear plugs that amplify sounds and mute loud gunshots. I experienced a ruptured ear drum this fall from having a rifle go off a foot from my ear and would like to preserve what hearing I have left for picking up the low sound of a moose grunt across the marsh when I’m in my later years. Various brands exist on the market and it comes down to preference on which one you want to pick out.

Having cold feet purchasing a gift this year? A warm pair of Alaska Gear Company Bunny Boots can help with that! They now offer a variety of boot options that range from around town, casual use, to working long hours on the Slope. This is a gift that will last a lifetime!

Nothing screams Christmas gift louder than a new pair of socks. I, for one, enjoy receiving new pairs of wool socks every year. I really like my Darn Tough socks for their durability, comfort and lifetime warranty. I wear them during the summer in my waders and in the winter when I’m ice fishing. A warm pair of socks can make or break a trip.

While this might sound lame, hand warmers make an incredible gift as well. Whether it’s a large box of single use hand warmers, or a pair of rechargeable ones, the person receiving your gift will thank you for them.

Have an angler in your life that is interested in building their own rod or learning how to tie flies? Consider purchasing a 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle gift card for them that can be used towards one of their rod building or fly tying courses hosted throughout the winter. These are the type of experience gifts that I really enjoy because they last longer than just unwrapping the morning of Christmas and ripping out of a box. Plus the knowledge learned will remain for years to come and the recipient can enjoy catching fish on their handmade rod or a fly they tied themselves.

I hope this list of gift ideas helps you in the final few days leading up to Christmas. Many of these items can be purchased locally and I would highly recommend searching for these items from a Valley business first before ordering online or purchasing from a big box store. All Seasons Clothing Company, 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle, Backcountry Bike and Ski, Alaska Gear Company and Great Northern Knives are all great local options to check out. Merry Christmas to all and happy (gift) hunting!