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The Roving Sportsman… Last Minute Ideas!

With just a week remaining until the long-awaited thrill of Christmas morning arrives, filled with the aromas of hot chocolate, a fire in the fireplace, and bacon frying, time is slipping away. There is finding and trimming a tree, getting the house ready for all of the relatives and friends who will drop by and all the usual baking and food preparations to do. And then there is all that shopping yet to be done. Wait. Are you still shopping? Not sure what to get that hunter, fisherman, or outdoorsman on your list? Well, here are a few suggestions for that hard to buy for a person who seems to already have everything they need or want.

When nighttime temperatures sink into the single digits, it is really important to think about dressing in layers and being both safe and smart when you step outside. It doesn’t mean that a sportsman has to limit his outside activities, just that he needs to be more aware of the chance of frostbite and hypothermia. To that end, consider the latest product line from ThermaCell. (They are the company that brought us the ThermaCell Insect Repellent Device, now used worldwide by sportsmen to repel mosquitoes and other bothersome buzzing insects effectively). Now, their line of Heated Insoles is the perfect solution to ensure warm feet on these extremely cold days and nights. They are not cheap, ranging in price from $77.00 to models priced at $199.99, but they are an outstanding product that just may be the best protection available from frostbitten toes! ThermaCell also offers “Heat Packs,” a pocket warmer that is also battery powered and is actually operated by your smart device without removing it from your pocket or clothing. Now, you have warm hands as well!

Want a great and very inexpensive alternative? HotHands makes a chemical pack that, when shaken up to activate the ingredients, will provide a reliable heat source that will last for hours. They are not just hand warmers but can be used as toe warmers and body warmers as well. They are packaged two to a pack, and a box containing 10 of these packs is a mere $5.00! A box or two of these warmers is a very thoughtful gift, and the individual two-packs make great stocking stuffers as well.

Rub your sportsman the right way with a variety of rubs and seasonings for their favorite wild game or fish dinner. Whether you are looking for stocking stuffers or want to put together a few small gift boxes, the wide variety of rubs, spices, and seasonings will be well appreciated by any outdoorsman who likes to perfect his hand at his culinary skills. Whether he is roasting, grilling, smoking, or frying, there are dozens of mixes available to take any dish and “kick it up a notch!”

Clothes that actually fit! Now, we are getting a bit personal. But, really, how many times have you given a gift of clothing — especially those items worn by hunters, shooters, fishermen, or other outdoor enthusiasts — that actually fit! The suggestion here is to go for a gift certificate and let the intended wearer actually pick out an item or two. Most sportsmen today are very picky when it comes to the exact styles and patterns that they really want to wear, and fishermen maybe even more choosey than the average hunter. Best to let them have the final say in outdoor wear; thus, the good old-fashioned gift certificate should work well.

Lastly, for a present that keeps on giving — well, for at least a year — think about gifting your favorite sportsman an annual membership in one of their favorite conservation organizations, such as Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation or the Quality Deer Management Association. Certainly, any gun owner would be happy to receive a membership in the National Rifle Association, if they are not already a member. All of these organizations send out monthly or bi-monthly publications that will provide hours of wintertime or rainy day reading and a reminder of your thoughtful gift idea.

There is still time to pick out any number of things that will put a smile on the face of your favorite sportsman. If you are still in doubt, a quick trip to any of our area sporting goods retailers will help you check off your list.

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