Time is short if you plan on shopping for a gift for your daddy.
However, you can still easily knock it out of the park if you’re a wise shopper. It will take a little homework, but in all actuality, outdoorsmen are easy to buy for. You can spend as much as you want, but it’s not really necessary. Take your time on picking out the perfect gift and you’ll really impress him.
Everyone is on a budget so let’s break it down by price ranges.
Under $10
- Flies:
- Flies are always in big demand if he’s a fly fisherman. Ask him what kind of flies he uses or go to the local flyfishing store and see what is popular on the creek/river he fishes. Check out flydealflies.com.
- Ammunition:
- .22 ammo is always popular.
- Fishing lures:
- His desires will be super specific, so make sure you find out what lures he uses before you buy any or they may just become dust collectors.
- Targets:
- It seems like everytime I go shooting, I find out that I’m short on targets.
- Backpacking meals:
- I like Mountain House.
- Pepper spray:
- If you want to give him a gag gift, buy him a Porktector can of pepper spray. It has pork in the spray for terrorists.
Under $25
- Pellets:
- If he likes shooting an airgun. he’ll always be short on pellets. See what brand he likes. H&N makes some elite pellets.
- Bowfishing:
- I exclusively use Muzzy bowfishing arrows. They’ve always worked great for me.
- Jerky- and sausage-making spices:
- Hi Mountain Seasoning makes the best spices.
Under $50
- XGO base layer clothing:
- I love their gear.
- Crappie fishing rods/reels
- If he has a boat, there are all kinds of knick knacks that he could use.
Under $100
- Tactical clothing:
- I love First Tactical pants. They’re heavy duty and extremely functional.
- Montana Decoys:
- The choices are limitless. I have their turkey, elk, deer, coyote, bear and rabbit decoys. For us mountain boys, they’re really the only option because of them being so compactable and lightweight.
- Bowfishing:
- I love the Muzzy reels. I favor the ones with the flip lever so you don’t strip out the reel.
Grand slam gifts
- Airguns:
- Airguns are extremely popular right now. Check out the break action Umarex, Ruger or Walther brands.
- Diamond Blade knives:
- They have too many great models to list.
- Gun cases:
- If he wants a case to fly with, check out the rifle or pistol cases that International Supplies has to offer.
- Simms gear:
- I tested their raincoat on a 17-day Alaska trip and discovered that they make the ultimate gear. I tested their rain gear, waders and wading boots. We wore them all day long with no discomfort at all.
- Guides:
- Hire a fishing guide for the day. He’d love this. Better yet, go with him.
- Pellet smoker:
- I got one last year from Camp Chef and I love it. I’ve had two to three from another brand, but Camp Chef makes the nicest ones.
- Compound bow:
- I just got an Obsession bow and love it. Check out what they have to offer.
Tom Claycomb lives in Idaho and has outdoors columns in newspapers in Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and Louisiana. He also writes for various outdoors magazines and teaches outdoors seminars at stores like Cabela’s, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Bass Pro Shop.
