Holiday shopping made easy for outdoor enthusiasts

Some of the many items outdoor minded people might like to see under the Christmas tree. There are plenty of gifts available to make any outdoor-minded person happy. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

While at the grocery store this week, I ran into several hunters who had just ended the 2016 antlerless firearm season. After discussing their hunting adventures the conversation turned to the fact that Christmas is fast approaching.

"I'm not going to be one of those last minute shoppers!" one hunter had said, while another commented that shopping for an outdoor enthusiast is easy today with all the items available in so many retail stops, big department stores as well as online shopping.

If you have an outdoor person in mind, shopping should be easy. If they are anglers, hunters, boaters, campers, a hiker or a birdwatcher, there are plenty of things to make those outdoor fans happy. A visit to one of the many sporting goods establishments will give you an idea of what to get that outdoorsman or woman.

One word of caution according to a veteran outdoorsman, Carl Andrews, of Springfield, is to avoid splurging on something like a fishing rod and reel unless you know what kind of fishing that angler does.

In other words, buying an ultra-light fishing outfit for a catfisherman or a spoonbill snagging outfit for a crappie angler probably would not be a good match. It would be much better to purchase a gift certificate from a tackle store and let the recipient choose what they really crave.

John Gardner, said, "There are plenty of places in the area to find a gift for any of my outdoor minded friends. My only problem is which of the many things to choose from that I think would be best. Last year, my wife came up with a good idea, a guided fishing trip ---- and it was great. Today, there are an unlimited number of items available for the outdoor person on your Christmas list."

Top fishing, hunting, camping or boating gear is specialized. You shouldn't pick up a paddle for a seasoned canoeist because he will want to fit a paddle to his own skill-level and challenges. The same goes for some electronic fishing gear, and, well you get the idea.

Here are a few items that an outdoorsman wouldn't mind seeing in Santa's sack. One or more of the items from the Missouri Department of Conservation including a Natural Events Calendar, as well as the Cooking Wild in Missouri cookbook, or one of the many books on the state's outdoors.

Also, you may purchase for your outdoorsman an early hunting and fishing license, in which you will need to supply some vital statistics and information about the recipient. A gift of clothing to help anyone on your list to stay warm, including gloves and hunting apparel would be nice to receive. Items for an angler could include things like waders, lures, fish weighing scales, tackle boxes, line clippers and fishing pliers are all good and thoughtful items.

For campers on your list, there are plenty of things today that make camping more enjoyable with less work. Bruce Jenkins is a veteran tent camper who started camping back in the late 60s. In meeting many fellow campers through the years he has kept up with some of them today. He indicated that camping has come a long way since he started.

There are so many things on today's market that make camping more comfortable and easier. Christmas gifts for campers are easy to find.

Hunters can always use another duck, turkey, crow, goose or other types of calls and decoys. Also, there are plenty of new books on outdoor subjects to keep a hunter or fisherman occupied this winter. Christmas shopping for outdoor minded people has never been easier.

Today's Christmas shopper has a wider selection of gifts including the new hunting and fishing games and better specialized gear than ever before.

One thing about shopping for an outdoorsman is there are plenty of things that make them happy. Even if you think they have everything, you will find just about anything that makes their favorite sport the least bit more enjoyable will please them. It's not too late to start. If you can't come up with a good idea, you can always get a gift card and let the recipient select what they want.

One of the deer hunters we visited with, Tom Martin, Grain Valley, said, "We got our first Christmas card last week and it reminded me that I had better get busy shopping and not wait till the last minute like I did last year."