Buying your favorite deer hunter yet another camo or blaze orange ballcap or humorous cartoon book is sometimes the easy way out, but not every hunter appreciates cliché deer hunter gifts. Every year, thousands of hunters unwrap holiday gifts they will never use, and will likely donate to their wife’s spring garage sale. If you want to come up with a deer hunter gift they will appreciate, think less about the clogged world of hunter themed gifts and concentrate more on what makes the deer hunter enjoy his hobby.
Gifts for the deer hunter may include hunting gear or deer themed gift items, or you may decide to forgo the deer theme completely and purchase a thoughtful nut tin. There is nothing better than relaxing after a day in a tree stand with a tin of nuts or a stick of pepperoni and some aged cheddar cheese from a company like Figis or Swiss Colony. But if you want to give a gift that recognizes the passion for hunting, here are ten great gifts for the deer hunter in your life:
1. A sturdy camo duffel like Cabela’s Seclusion 3D comes in four sizes, and is one of the best ways to carry necessary gear. Since it’s camo, it can be left in a duck blind or in a grassy area without too much worry of detection. The Seclusion 3D waterproof duffel series is water-resistant and rugged with 2″ sturdy nylon webbed handles and a nylon carry strap. Four sizes means you can buy an assortment or choose the size perfect for your gear. If your deer hunter is used to hoofing it with a heavy load, you’ll want to choose a bigger size. Most hunters appreciate a small bag, especially if their game is archery, which requires less gear than a gun hunter. Overstock also carries a Waterproof Breakup Camo Duffel Bag. It is also available in the Shadow Grass pattern. These are serious bags requiring a serious amount of cash to buy them. Expect to pay around $50.
2. For just $10.00, you can buy a camo fleece throw from fuss budget. Soft fleece in a vintage military pattern is a great way for your favorite deer hunter to warm up a little as he sits on his tree stand or as he cooks a late dinner by the campfire. For a chilly evening at home, the Deer Shack carries a Jumping Deer throw for just $29.95. It isn’t a sissy Bambi print, and has a masculine, dull tone to it so that it doesn’t look too artsy.
3. The magnificent Deer Running area rug and Ten Point Buck rug available from CSA gifts on Shop.com is around $86 and is designed by wildlife artist Phillip Crowe. It is simply a beautiful sight at 39″ x 56″, and would look lovely on a cabin floor or a living room wall. I’d love to have one for my bedroom to be honest with you. This is one of the best deer artists currently in the gift business, as the deer look lively, exciting, and ready to be tracked.
4. The best deer wall art items for deer hunters aren’t your typical dollar store cheapy poster or a stylized gift store mess. If you check out the art at http://www.natureartists.com you will see deer art that really gets a deer hunter’s attention. This is a great place for the ultra gift of special original deer art, with pages upon pages of whitetail offerings. If your budget is a little less consider heading to Print Finders and selecting a poster to have professionally mounted. Humorous deer art and cartoony or stylized stuff will likely never get hung (except when you’re visiting) so keep taste in mind when selecting a decorative gifts for deer hunters.
5. For a stunning gift that will be an annual treasure, consider purchasing a Whitetail ornament from Bronners. This Frankenmuth, Michigan ornament store carries a lovely selection of whitetail ornaments from Bradford Editions like Crossing Boundaries, Woodland Serenity, Northwood’s Magesty, and Frosty Morning for just $15.99 each. Of course, it would look like you spent much more. These porcelain ornaments are glazed and accented in 24k gold. A pewter gold painted buck stands atop the piece, ever watchful and brilliant.
6. In Indiana, Archery deer hunters are encouraged to carry a journal to log the activities of wildlife in the forest. The data collected from these journals is then used to analyze wildlife patterns in various areas. Hunters in other areas enjoy keeping a field journal to log information about the trends in particular areas and come up with ideas about the next trip out. Since a lot of time is spent in a tree stand, hunters appreciate the simplicity of a journal for brainstorming and reflecting. Nature Speak carries a Deer Tracks Hunting Field Journal for just $8.99.
7. Deer hunters can never have too many pairs of socks. Scent loc socks help a hunter stay scent-free by absorbing stinky sweat. Scent loc is a well-appreciated gift for deer hunters who want their odors to go unnoticed by the whitetails. Socks are likely something your favorite deer hunter does not have very many of. When paired with a good set of gloves, you have a great gift that any hunter would appreciate.
8. Camo scarves and bandannas are not really for hunting, but deer hunters commonly like to wear them, especially if they live in areas that get very cold. Whether you buy a ready-made fleece camo scarf choose to knit your own, a fun camo winter scarf is a great way to say “stay warm” this winter. For an added expression, include a knit hat or cap or a suede flap cap to keep the hunter’s entire head warm.
9. A humorous hunting t-shirt is about the only type of humorous gift you can give a deer hunter that they will use as long as the personality of the hunter fits the shirt. Try not to choose something vulgar, or the hunter’s wife is sure to “lose” the gift in the laundry. Hunters love wearing t-shirts that proudly proclaim their hobby so long as the concept for the shirt is not lame or overdone.
10. A nice dehydrator for making trail mix and jerky is one of those items most deer hunters have on their wish list. One of the best ways to prepare jerky is with one of those compact domed units made by Ronco. Of course, there is a yogurt attachment on these things, but it is unlikely that will be used much by the recipient. You can buy a Ronco dehydrator for $39.95 on Ron Popeil’s website or wait for an infomercial.
Whether you want to buy a deer hunting themed gift for your favorite deer hunter or buy something that has nothing to do with whitetails, buying for the hunter need not be tricky. Good luck with your adventures, and have a Happy Holiday season!
