Gifts For The Outdoor Enthusiast

Picking out a Christmas gift for the outdoors enthusiast on your list can be a daunting task. I know. I have a number of fish print neckties gathering dust in my closet, hanging by the “As Seen on TV” super-duper fishing lures.

Finding good gifts for someone who enjoys hiking, fishing, or hunting can run from a few dollars to the equivalent of a car payment. The cost depends on how guilty you feel about all those years of giving ugly ties.

Hunters never have enough hats. This year, consider a genuine Kentucky Afield hat in stylish blaze orange. Order yours online at www.kyafield.com.

Hunting or fishing licenses also make much-appreciated gifts. If there’s a deer hunter in your family, buy that person an application for the Kentucky elk hunt lottery, for only $10. Purchase online at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, www.fw.ky.gov or at most sporting goods stores.

If there’s an angler on your list, consider upgrading their tackle box. Many tackle boxes nowadays have removable boxes inside to help anglers keep gear organized.

Hunters, anglers, or hikers never have enough flashlights. Since the chances of losing a flashlight rises in direct proportion to its cost, go cheap and get several small ones that can fit easily in a pocket. You’ll get bonus points for a light that attaches to the brim of a cap.

More expensive—but immensely practical—is a pair of radios or walkie-talkies. Not only are these good for hunters and anglers, but parents of kids who tend to run far ahead on a hiking trail find them handy, too. Be sure to get earphones if this is a gift for a hunter.

Optics are at the high end of the cost scale. A 3×9-power scope makes a wonderful gift for a rifle hunter without one. Check with your local gun shop about mounting options for the gun you want to put it on before purchasing a scope.

Finally, binoculars make a perfect addition to a hunting or hiking pack. Costs vary widely, but stick with the fog-proof types. While big binoculars look impressive, compact 8×32 versions are easier to carry in the field.

Insider’s tip

Want to see a favorite Kentucky Afield television segment again? Go online to YouTube.com and search under the keywords Kentucky Afield. You’ll find fan favorites from a variety of shows, including the hilarious Turtle Man.