The perfect gift for the hunter can be a daunting task, especially if they are well-equipped with gear and seem to have everything. The best gifts are ones that are appreciated, and unique, but most importantly, one that gets used to improve success while afield, making the hunt and harvest more enjoyable.
Top 5 Gifts Under $50.00
1. Dead Down Wind Gift Basket
Creating a gift basket complete with the items that hunters have come to rely upon from their scent elimination system that includes Dead Down Wind laundry bombs or liquid soap, dryer sheets, and hair and body wash. And, if you didn’t know, Dead Down Wind also has an unscented woodsman beard and face care kit. The premium ingredients found in the beard oil, beard wash, and face lotion moisturizer will keep men looking good while being scent-free. Throw in some field washcloths, a wind checker, and field spray and you will have put together a great gift!
If you want to make it easy on yourself while saving money, simply pick up one of the already assembled kits which all retail for under $25.00. Visit the Dead Down Wind website.
2. Alaskan Guide Series Headlamp –
One of the items that no hunter heads afield without is a headlamp. They come in handy for every low-light task, and because of that, you can’t have too many of them. The Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Series QUL headlamp is weatherproof, waterproof, and submersible up to 3’ while being affordably priced at $29.99. Shop Cabela’s Headlamps.
3. Stone Antler Coasters –
Bringing elements found in the outdoors, like natural stone, into our home is a great way to connect with nature while indoors. These hand-stamped coasters with numerous wildlife themes make a great addition to your drink service. And, the best part is the price with many styles retailing at $29.00 and less. Shop Now…
4. The Easy Venison Cookbook & The Complete Wild Game Cookbook
As a child, I pretty much grew up eating the same dinner almost every night consisting of chicken fried elk steak, macaroni & cheese, and corn. Don’t get me wrong, this is still one of my favorite dinners, but, as an adult, I must admit, that adventuring outside of this staple and experimenting with wild game recipes has been an incredible way to share and enjoy the harvest. Bri Van Scotter has put together not one but two incredible wild game cookbooks, The Easy Venison Cookbook and The Complete Wild Game Cookbook which will show you how to bring the amazing flavors of wild game and pair them with marinades, brines, rubs, sauces, and stocks to create hearty meals that will please the most discriminating palate. Shop Wilderness to Table books.
5. ShockStrap Ratchet Strap –
Anyone and everyone uses ratchet straps and this may sound like an odd gift, but the ShockStrap Ratchet Strap is unlike any ratchet strap that you have ever used. The built-in rubber bungee has taken a great product and made it even better, providing constant tension on the hooks when secured to a load that couples that with incredible shock absorption that won’t come loose or break straps. This shock absorption is perfect when hauling side-by-sides or snowmobiles down washboard roads. This is a workhorse of a gift that will be used and appreciated. Single straps start from $27.99. Shop ShockStrap now.
Top 5 Gifts Under $100.00
1. Gun Cleaning Kit
A well-maintained firearm is a generational investment that lasts well beyond a single lifetime. Maintaining your firearms without the use of scents with effective solvents that remove carbon and inanimate contaminants while remaining temperature stable in the elements has made Breakthrough Clean Technologies a top choice in gun cleaning. They have a wide variety of gun cleaning kits available that provide everything you need to maintain your firearm at the range or while afield in a compact and ready-to-go kit. The Breakthrough® Clean LOC kits include a durable nylon pouch, our great rod cleaning tools with our Military-Grade Solvent, Battle Born Grease, and Battle Born High-Purity Oil, that you can easily carry while on the mountain hunting with a lightweight kit with all the tools you need to maintain your gun and keep you safe. $69.99. Shop Breakthrough Clean.
2. Cocktail Smoker –
There is nothing that feels better than a warming fire in a hunting camp. Bring the aromatic qualities of camp into your favorite whiskey drink as part of an entertaining presentation with swirls of smoke that bring a unique flavor to your favorite whiskey drink. The MITBAK handheld cold smoking gun is portable and includes a dome lid and woodchips for cold-smoking food and drinks indoors or outdoors. $79.99. Shop now.
3. Backcountry™ Quarter Bags –
The first thing that we look for after a successful harvest is our knife and game bags. The Backcountry™ Quarter Bags by Allen are lightweight, easy-to-pack game bags that keep eatable portions clean, with breathable fabric. These game bags are tough and reusable for many years, granted that you can keep them from disappearing when sharing meat with a hunting partner or dropping off portions at the butcher. Find them here- Allen Backcountry Quarter Bags. $73.99 MSRP.
4. Tin Roof Home Charcuterie Board –
Presenting the bounty of the harvest from pepperoni sticks, summer sausages, home smoked cheeses, to garden-grown fruits and vegetables has become a culinary art and a great way to revisit hunting stories with family and friends. Tin Roof Kitchen and Home takes pride in a multi-generational woodworking craft, from sawing, kiln drying, milling, turning, and planning at a family-owned and operated sawmill that is located on founder Kurt Pratka’s family farm in Texas. Featuring Texas wood that is Texas made, you will find customizable cutting boards, brandy sets, appetizer sets, charcuterie boards, and more. This custom gift is affordably priced with small charcuterie boards starting around $59.00.
5. OnX Hunt Elite Membership –
It is pretty safe to say that most hunters have come to rely upon the technology found in an OnX Hunt Elite membership. From easy-to-navigate 3D imagery, landowner information, waypoint sharing, and more, the gift of an OnX Hunt Elite membership now includes access to additional premium services like Top Rut and more. Whether the hunter in your life hunts the backcountry or back 40, this is a year-round gift that gets used. Use code Wild20 to save 20% off a new membership during online checkout. $99.00.
Top 5 Gifts Over $100.00
1. Cell Phone Signal Booster –
It is undeniable that most of the world is highly dependent on our cell phones and while in remote locations, we can end up traveling to find a cell phone signal. The gift of a cell phone signal booster is an in-vehicle signal booster that is designed to boost your cell phone coverage for phones that fit within its adjustable cradle (5.1” to 7.5” long). The Drive Sleek cell phone signal booster is compatible with all US carrier networks and reduces dropped calls, improves data speeds, and more. Retailing at $169.99, this is a gift that the entire family will enjoy.
2. Magneto Speed Ballistic Chronograph –
When it comes to precision rifle shooting, a ballistic chronograph is a must-have item and is a gift that the shooting sports enthusiast will surely use while doing load development or making changes in ammunition. The MagnetoSpeed V3 ballistic chronograph kit was designed to be used on barrels and suppressors from 1/2 inch all the way up to 2 inches in diameter. In addition to the larger diameter tolerance, the V3 also has one inch more clearance in the blast zone to account for longer (up to 3″ in most cases) muzzle brakes, flash hiders, etc. Plus, V3 is compatible with suppressor use. Retail price $399.00.
3. Outdoorsman’s Tripod and Pan Head –
Ideally, the gear that we pack into the backcountry serves more than one purpose and for years, I have been using the Outdoorsman’s standard tripod and pan head for glassing with binoculars, use with my spotting scope and use as a shooting rest. One piece of gear with three critical functions makes this tripod and head a valuable piece of kit that any hunter or shooting sports enthusiast will appreciate.
The Standard Tripod retails at $539.99 and the Pan Head retails at $395.99
4. Kor Gun Case Foam Replacement –
Securing and protecting our firearm while traveling domestically and internationally is not only recommended but in many cases, it is required. Kor technology has innovated firearms transport so that you never have to cut foam to fit your firearm and optic again. The 5er foam replacement insert will easily retrofit your existing hard rifle case. Using a patent-pending VRS foam replacement system that couples internal fill rigidizing beads with a pump and adapter kit it creates a custom and secure fit for your firearm(s). The 5ER retails for around $300.00.
5. Adventurous Meals Gift Basket
Modern advances in dehydrated meals have made dining in the backcountry a culinary delight. When we are tired from a long day hunting, there is nothing better than slipping off your hiking boots and sliding on a comfy pair of camp shoes in preparation for a 5-star dining experience out of a bag. It is quite actually the perfect date night with your significant other and what better way to look forward to upcoming hunts than with the purchase of high-quality, tasty meals this gift-giving season. Check out these fine meal providers to fill your adventure gift basket.
Gastro Gnome thoughtfully sources organic ingredients with super tasty, hunt-ready meals that include bison from the Wild Bison Ranch. Located in Bozeman Montana, Gastro Gnome meals are proudly made in Montana and feature carefully crafted recipes by Shannon Waters, a renowned chef that attended The French Culinary Institute.
Peak Refuel has quickly become my favorite backcountry meal manufacturer. Their slogan is, “If you wouldn’t eat it at home, why take it into nature”? They pay tremendous attention to sourcing their meals with quality ingredients, but let’s face it, their meals are delicious.
The Wild Bison Ranch is located in Bridger Montana featuring a family-owned and operated grass-fed and finished regeneratively managed bison ranch. They sell bison skulls, hides, leather goods, and of course, America’s premier meat, bison. Available for purchase and great for the backcountry, The Wild Bison Ranch features traditional, peppered, jalapeno, flavored jerky, honey-flavored bison snack sticks, and more.
