Grouse Hollow Journal Xmas for Outdoors Types

Grouse Hollow Journal for December 13, 2012 by Greg Koelker

Ho! Ho! Ho! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! The first snow fall of the season is slowly piling up this Sunday morning and Christmas is coming faster, so here are my annual gift giving suggestions for Outdoors Types.

First off, I want to share that I was so totally out of shape when hunting season came around this year that I didn't enjoy it near as much as some other years. There were days I had to find the gumption to get out there, I saw it as almost too much work. I walk every day, but . . . anyway, we decided to renew my gym membership and so far I have been getting in to work out at least three times a week; I do feel better, sore and stiff, but better. A gym membership costs around $35 a month, but I paid in advance for a year and they threw in six more months for that price, so it was nearer $20 month. It's a lot, but if it helps prevent a heart attack or a fall in the woods, it will be well worth it. A recumbant exercycle is pretty cool and low impact on the joints and back. Amazon had one for $150, but they run up from around $250 usually (and the entire family can use it while watching TV or reading or listening to music or whatever). The family would benefit from a wii video sports console and games, and people actually exercise while they play the games. I have played softball and jumped from cloud to cloud on my niece's game and I worked up a sweat. They aren't cheap but Amazon had one for under $200. The best and easiest (least expensive) exercise is still probably walking. I bought a new pair of New Balance walking shoes for $50 on sale the other day. I chose them because they were made in the US, but they make my feet and knees feel better while I walk, making it more likely that I will get out there. Some good thick walking socks are not a bad idea either.

Being in shape to get out there is good and being safe while up there in a tree stand is really good. A pretty good gift idea to show you care for your tree stand hunters starts with a good saftey set up. Some safety harnesses are a real pain to get into and so they don't get used, but some are easy. The one I have is a camo vest that I put on and pull straps up between my legs to attach to seat belt type clips. I buckle the vest and I'm ready to hook up to a tree when I get up there - $75-150.

A new ladder stand would be welcome for hunters who have a place to put them and leave them up. They run from $50 to $400 and probably more, but most are pretty safe and much easier to climb into than climbing stands or stands you hang on a tree. For around two bills you can find one for two people so your hunter can take along one of the kids or you can spend some quality time together watching wildlife. One of the accessories I like using while spending time in a tree stand is a bow hanger. I attach the hanger to the tree and my bow is hanging right where I need it while my hands are warm in my pockets. There are a variety of hangers out there, but $25 should get the job done. The Iron Talon bow holder clamps on to metal tree stands and holds a bow at the ready for under $20 at Cabelas. They even have a gun and/or crossbow holder. If your tree stand hunter is also into shooting video of his or her shots, a tree stand camera mount might be a good gift for around $50. Of course a new Go Pro Camera would be pretty cool at around $200. On the ground hunting tent blinds are relatively inexpensive. I saw the one I have for $40 – during the hunting season.

If you have an ice fisherman to buy for, a new Vexilar or Marcum or other flasher would be a great gift and maybe increase the number of times your fisherman fries fresh fish - $280 to $600 (you might want to use a gift certificate here and let 'em pick out their own unless you know which one to get.) If the ice ever gets to being really thick around here again or if your ice angler heads up north, a power auger would be pretty cool. $300 to $500 – another one that might be a good one for a gift certificate. For around $40 you could get a plastic utility ice sled for pulling gear out on the ice or even pulling firewood down to the house. Ultra-lite ice poles are good and can be had for around $20. I suggest a long one so that your fisherperson can walk about and fish without having to drag a bucket along.

Renewing or ordering an outdoor magazine or two would be good. I have always enjoyed Gray's Sporting Journal for the well-written stories and art and photography, but it is $37 for seven issues a year. I want to recommend Wisconsin Outdoor News. This bi-monthly newspaper is full of Wisconsin stories, news, editorials, pictures, recipes, lake maps, and more at $26 for 24 issues annually, well-worth it. Wisconsin Natural Resources is colorful and local at $9 fo 6 issues. Wisconsin Trails is informative and full of Wisconsin vacation and day trip ideas but $25 for 6 issues. I like In-Fisherman at $15 for 8 issues as well.

Finally, I asked Ellen what she thought outdoor women would like and she immediately replied snow shoes. That's a great idea, for kids and men too – and they will get some exercise. You can get some really nice ones for around $160. I recommend the ski poles to go along with them. Some snow would be nice too I suppose. She added that goose down vests and coats or Smart Wool socks or Under Armor long johns will make the cold less cold. Lots of women never buy real out door pac style boots with linings so they don't have the right footgear to get in a tree stand or go to a Packer game. An electric boot dryer would be nice too at around $20.

Of course, gloves, mittens, vests, hats, sweaters, pocket camera, Under Armor anything, Scent-loc anything, socks, a good thermos, etc. would all be great gifts. I recommend you don't buy hunting boots, puppies, guns, bows, four -wheelers, binoculars, anything where the outdoors type might need to have a say in it. If you get something like this, make sure you have specifics first or keep the gift receipt. A gift card is always a good idea. (Make sure it won't expire in a year when you buy it.) I also recommend books for those long winter nights. On the Hunt: The History of Deer Hunting in Wisconsin is one I read and recommended last year - $19 in hardcover, and Under a Poacher's Moon – Stories of a Wisconsin Game Warden by retired Wisconsin warden Steve Dewald is a good one too - $14 in paper back is a good read. Finally, after proofreading this column, Ellen suggested I add a food dehydrator. She got me a Nesco that works fantastic. It makes jerky in a couple of hours and it can be used to dry fruit and mushrooms and such as well - $50 and up.

Until next time, get out – I suppose I'd better get out and get some gift shopping done too. Think thick ice! On Donder, on Dasher, on, uh, uh, oh yeah, Rudolph, etc. etc. Enjoy.