A Few Ideas to Avoid Sticker Shock this Holiday Season
Compiled by PAUL FUZINSKI
LISTEN: (2 min, 21 sec)
INFLATION IS NO JOKE. In case you haven’t noticed, the cost of everything has gone up and that includes hunting gear.
If you would like to hook your hunting loved one up with some great Christmas gifts I have a few suggestions.
While this may seem like a small gift, a great pair of hunting socks can make a world of difference on cold days in the field. Thermal, moisture-wicking socks are essential to keeping feet dry and warm, especially in harsh winter conditions.
Hunters constantly need ammunition, and it can get expensive. Gifting a box of their preferred caliber or gauge can help them save for other hunting needs. Beyond ammo, simple accessories like gun cleaning kits or scent elimination sprays are budget-friendly yet vital components of a successful hunt. I mean if you want to go all the way, buy them a camo stocking and stuff it full of these items.
I like to process my own meat. A quality game processing knife, vacuum sealer bags, or even a DIY butchering kit can make a huge difference and it’s something they will use over and over again.
A subscription to a good outdoors magazine (such as, ahem, Texas Fish & Game) would be a great gift as it will keep them connected to great information on the great outdoors.
Another idea is to get them a membership in a hunting-centric wildlife conservation group like Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the Texas Bighorn Society.
This will contribute to conservation in their name and perhaps give them a launching pad to get more involved in the hunter-conservationist movement.
If you’re unsure about specific gear, a gift card to an outdoor retailer is always a good option. Even small amounts can help hunters save up for bigger purchases like boots, jackets, or gear they’ve been eyeing.
Nowadays you can make photo collages very inexpensively via online services through all kinds of places, even CVS and Walmart stores. You can make a thoughtful collage of their favorite outdoors photos and put them in a simple but affordable frame.
That’s a great way to commemorate their love of the outdoors and let them know you love them on Christmas.
—story by PAUL FUZINSKI
