5 Things I Do Not Want for Christmas

S'mores Indoors

Got an outdoor enthusiast on your list and looking for some great gift ideas?  Cool, because I have all sorts of thoughts on the perfect gift for the hunter, angler, camper and recreational shooter  – however, these are not them! In fact it’s my opinion that you should avoid the following gifts all-together…

* Cheap Multi-tools – Nothing says you almost care like a cheap tool.  A good multi-tool can be nearly indispensable in many outdoor adventures.  I have used mine to pull cactus from dog feet, repair ground blinds & re-curve fishing hooks.  However, these were not the brightly-colored, plastic varieties you find in bins near the check-out counter.  Good steel and craftsmanship usually cost a bit more.  I have personally broken 2 pairs of cheap multi-tools within a couple of hours of receiving them.

Texting in Warmth

* Indoor S’More Making Kits – Is nothing sacred?  There are something’s that should always go together and s’mores & campfires are one of them. These indoor kits don’t allow its users to benefit from the many life-lessons that real s’more making offers: how to pick the perfect roasting stick; what placing a marshmallow directly into the flames does; best-methods for extinguishing marshmallows; and that mom should not be trusted around the chocolate.  Please leave the s’more making to those adventurous enough to actually cook them outdoors.

Red Ryder Not Included

* Department Store Bows – Archery has once again gained in popularity.  I am sure this Christmas will find many a new Katniss & Merida prowling around with a just-unwrapped bow.  If you’re looking into a real bow for your archer, do you both a favor and head to a pro-shop.  There are lots of things that go into getting a comfortable and safe fitting bow.  Some that even experienced archers don’t completely understand or have the needed equipment to accomplish.  I will say that, thanks to many manufacturers stepping up, there are more options nowadays for bows that can grow with your archer – but I have never seen them sold at a department store.

* Cell Phone Hunting Glove – Now you can head out to the wild & wooly in the cold of winter and still be able to text your friends without having to take your gloves off.  Huh?  Just imagine all those vital “lol’s” you missed sending when you used to go to the tree stand, goose pit or ice-fishing shanty.  My message would be “TTYL – I have gone hunting (or fishing)”

* Pink Bunny Pajamas – Ok, so this may not be such a bad gift – as long as it comes with something stronger than a Red Ryder.  May I suggest something stocked in walnut and at least .30 caliber?

hershy