Deer hunters, at their core, are pretty simple… dedicated to the point of fanaticism in some cases, but simple. If you are looking for the perfect gift that is sure to please your hunter this holiday season, the answer is almost as simple. Hunters just want to be successful. While you cannot ensure success, you can get them the gifts that will increase their odds.
Clothes, Hand Warmers, and Boots
The first thing a hunter needs is new clothing. Sure, they probably already have some, but that’s like telling a woman she already has shoes — even a huntress likes new clothes. Focus on comfort and staying warm. Your hunter will appreciate it. After that, find a way to keep that hunting nut off their phone when in the woods and you’ll really increase their odds.
Top choices include hunting jackets, bib overalls, pants, boots, and gloves. While they will need gloves, hand muffs (hand warmers) are a great add on too. Best of all, they double as a handy pouch for the phone that they should not be playing games on and the battery pack to keep it charged.
Bundle up all you want. However, if your feet are cold, you are miserable in the woods. Rocky and Muck boots have some of the best offerings on the market. Rocky leans more toward hunting boots and Muck on lifestyle and around the farm, but do not discount either one. A few years ago in Illinois, I left the woods and went to the nearest hunting store. I slapped down a credit card for a $300 pair of boots so I could get back to the woods comfortably. You can probably tell this one is close to my heart (not geographically, but you get it…). Since then, I have added four pairs!
My top choices are hand warmers — in case you haven’t guessed — and bib overalls. Some people laugh, but that’s only because they have not tried them. Overalls are easy on and off and super comfortable. Add to that some insulated undergarments, and you can sit back and sip wine all day, because your hunter will be happy and comfy in the tree while you kick it by the fire with a book.
Trail Cameras
The second category of products to keep your hunter happy and in the the field is trail monitoring equipment. Basically, its a motion-activated camera (with video) strapped to the tree. Now, if you want you hunter close for cuddling, get them a few cameras with remote viewing capabilities. It’s kind of like sitting in the lair and watching security monitors or getting text alerts on your phone when the critters are moving.
On the other hand, if you are looking for some ‘me’ time, save a few dollars and get cameras they have to go in the field and retrieve the memory cards. The extra time spent in their hunting area won’t increase their odds as much as a remote option. However, when you want a few minutes to wrap presents, you can always peek out the window and claim you just saw a big buck or simply start the conversation about how you wonder whether the cameras caught anything and like a cat with a string, their curiosity will get the best of them. Best of all, I have never met a hunter who had too many cameras… hint-hint.
Beyond the camera, why not a few extra little goodies to stuff in the stocking? Cameras run on batteries and the cold weather is tough on them, even lithium batteries. Check out a solar power pack for the camera and options camera hanger or two, so your hunter can quickly and easily move them should activity in their favorite spot slow down.
Game Calls and Decoys
Alright, I’ll admit that this category is a bit trickier to explain to a non-hunter but here it goes. Years ago, there was a video game where the deer hunted the hunters (people). To lure the hunter in, the deer would use a call that caused a woman in a bikini (decoy) to appear from behind a bush and invite the unsuspecting hunter to throw caution to wind by declaring she was lonely and had pizza and beer! Are you getting the idea?
Hunters do much the same with decoys and game calls. We may imitate the sound of two bucks fighting (Who doesn’t enjoy watching a good fight, right?), pretending to be an amorous female with naughty intentions and looking for a date, or just a group of friends getting back together.
And they call does not always have to be specific to the species your hunter is trying to bag. Deer hunters hate coyotes. Most will not pass up an opportunity when one of those wily critters lopes on by. Alternately, when the weather turns and the deer stay bedded, a quick call or two on a predator call will keep the action running.
Fall turkey season in many states runs concurrently with deer season, so it never hurts to keep a turkey call in your pocket or hunting vest as well.
Of course, while I am sure that I nailed exactly what your hunter will want and need, you have another option — a gift card. Cheaper Than Dirt has gift cards in the denomination you want. Whether as a stocking stuffer or with a sentimental card, a gift card allows that special person to get exactly what they have been yearning for.
Whatever you choose, your hunter will be more than excited and happy that you not only thought of them, but the sport that they love (almost as much as you during buck season).
As a long time deer hunter, I would add one thing the author does not mention. And it involves safety and /or survival. Over the years, I have run into a lot of hunters who go into the field with little to no thought of a basic survival kit or first aid kit. Many of them have hunted on a certain tract of land for years and even generations. That has made them complacent when it comes to the what ifs.
To that end I would suggest one thing many people overlook; and it is not just one thing, it is at least five tools to start a fire in the event that a worst-case scenario presents itself. I do NOT include matches or a lighter in the mix. My reasons for that are even waterproof matches can have issues if there is a shortage of dry wood. And I would add that lighters can run out of fuel, leaving the holder in the lurch. There are many tools, such as the Swedish Fire Steel or one of the various iterations found online. There is also the magnesium bar. Some brands even have a short metal bar that is used to shave the magnesium off and then strike the attached ferrocerium rod to achieve a spark. Other examples of tools that could be easily carried are a tool called a UST Sparkie, which has a huge advantage in that it can be used one handed in case of injury to one arm. There are several versions of the Strike Force that was originally made by Gerber decades ago.
As someone who did SAR years ago and followed the literature for some time after that time, I would recommend tools that do not take too much space in your pack and are easy to use. But after the tools arrive, the person who will be using them needs to practice with them. I live in a home with a fireplace. I have never used matches to start a fire in the fireplace. When I start my charcoal grill, I use one of the many firestarters I have and carry in my pack. I don’t have to think about what I am doing when I start a fire. It is like tying my hunting boots, it is a natural behavior. Starting a fire in a SHTF situation, should be the same.
At least one of these tools should be able to be used one handed. It is impossible for a person with a broken arm or forearm to use any tool requiring two hands. That is my main reason for eschewing learning how to use a wooden fire drill. It is very hard to do and someone with an upper extremity injury will NOT be successful with it. That could result in Search and Recovery as opposed to Rescue.
I would add that there are a number of fire starter tabs or cubes that will ignite easily and will burn long enough to begin to dry out even some wet kindling. Again, one should practice with this event in mind.