Christmas ideas/gifts for that special sportsman

It’s only a week until Christmas Eve and crunch time for those who still have shopping left to do. If you’re having trouble finding just the right gift for that special friend or family member, don’t panic, there’s still time and I have a few nifty ideas. Why, if you order in the next day or two the items will still arrive before Santa.
 One present that every angler and hunter really needs is a new license for 2009. My wife stuffs my stocking with a combination hunting and fishing license with all the extras; a waterfowl stamp, bear permit and even a muzzle loading permit. Licenses can be purchased at city hall, the town office, or even by computer online if time is really tight. Check out the resident lifetime licenses or Superpack License, they’re good for the outdoorsman, good for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
While we are on the subject of spending time outdoors, it seems that a lot of those hours are spent sitting on a hard, cold or wet seat of some sort. From a metal boat bench to a non-padded bear stand, from a frozen stump overlooking a deer trail or rocky ground while turkey hunting, we all endure some uncomfortable sessions of  watching and waiting. Sometimes outings even get shortened due to aching legs, a sore back or a numb rear end.
    Hunt Comfort’s specially built padded seat cushions will turn any sport into the “Best Seat in the Woods”, even if it’s a hard, ice-covered rock. A center core of Intelligel, a soft product that actually compresses and molds when sat upon, is surrounded by a dense layer of foam and encased in one of four various camo covers which are quiet and durable. Each seat comes with an adjustable shoulder carrying strap, is made in the USA and has a three-year warranty.
Hunt Comfort Cushions come is a dozen shapes, sizes and styles but the Fat Boy model passed every test I put it to this past year. This 14x16x3-inch, two-pound four-ounce soft seat makes any long sit more comfortable and the price is $60. Fat Boy Lite cushions weigh a pound less and retail for $40. A new Climb-On version (10x14x3 inches) is perfect for small seated tree stands, narrow benches in ice fishing huts or hard canoe seats.
Hunt Comfort products are available at regional sporting goods stores, in various outdoor catalogs or you can order direct at 1-888-757-3232. Go online at www.huntcomfort.com to see a full product line.
Since we are talking about comfort, check out the ThermaCell portable, compact insect repellant. Using 1×2-inch repellant infused mats which are heated by a tiny butane burner to disperse a clear, odorless cloud into the air, the unit provides a 15-foot bug-free bubble. I was a skeptic, convinced such a small, simple unit couldn’t be that effective, and also believing there had to be an odor emitted that would scare off keen-nosed big game animals.
My cousin and I sat for three evenings in a two-man tree stand overlooking a bear bait during August when mosquitoes and black flies were out in force. Our ThermaCell unit was held by bungee cord to the tree between us and kept all insects at bay for hours but didn’t bother the bear, of which we saw 10 during our three stakeouts. ThermaCell outfits cost between $20 and $25 depending on color or camo and refill packs of repellent mats and a butane cartridge run about $7.
Every rod and gun shop and most department stores carry all these products as do outdoor catalogs such as L.L.Bean, Cabelas, and Bass Pro Shops. Check out various models online at www.thermocell.com and order via computer or call 1-866-3837 to ask questions and place an order.
Since winter weather can keep sportsmen confined to the house it’s a great time to tie flies, reload shells and catch up on reading. If I can’t be out there myself, others’ tales of cast and blast adventures provide a lot of enjoyment. I particularly like to read about deer hunting and Krause Publications keeps coming up with new and informative books year after year to entice whitetail enthusiasts. This winter there is a quartet of great tomes on deer and deer hunting. “Classic Deer Camps” by Robert Wegner has great stories and photos  from the “good old days”, while “Big Bucks the Benoit Way” by Bruce Towsley relates “how to” hunting lore that yields trophy deer for the Benoit family year after year. Each large book costs $30.
A pair of thick, soft-cover volumes deserve some attention as well. “Whitetail Advantage” by Samuel and Zaiglin and “Trophy Bucks In Any Weather” by Carlson offer great insight into whitetail behavior, habits, and traits under normal fall condition as well as how cold fronts, storms, and barometric pressure changes affect activity. This pair of advice-filled books sell for $25 and $20 respectively, and are worth every penny, if you can’t locate these volumes locally, call Krause direct at 1-800-258-0929 to order or go on line at www.krausebook.com.
If you still need a few stocking stuffers for that special sportsman on your yuletide gift list, how about a box of shotgun or rifle shells? Big game hunters can always use a bottle of cover scent and deer hunters will appreciate some buck lure. Dry flies and streamers are on every angler’s list and what bass caster wouldn’t appreciate a couple of top water plugs and some plastic worms. How about a couple of packs of batteries for headlamps, GPS, flashlight or camera, maybe a roll of duct tape which has 100 uses outdoors and don’t forget a few chemical hand or foot warmer packets.Hope these ideas help with your last-minute shopping, and don’t forget, in a bind, buy a gift certificate to a favorite outdoor catalog or local sporting goods store. Happy Holidays to one and all.