Need some ideas for how to shop for that hard-to-buy-for outdoorsman in your life this Father's Day? Whether its your dad, husband or grandfather, read on for some ideas he's sure to love in this years American Hunter Father's Day Gift Guide.
Fix It Sticks Scope Jack
Expletives flow in a steady stream from the workshop. What happened? Sounds like Dad bumped his reticle off level while affixing his new scope. Avoid incidents like these in the future, and pick him up a Fix It Sticks Scope Jack. The go-too tool for the long-range perfectionist, the Scope Jack is designed for rifles utilizing two-piece scope rings, a single-piece Picatinny rail, and a scope with a flat-bottom turret housing. To use, once the scope is mounted in the rings, simply attach the scope jack to the section of rail under the scope, with the leveling bar on the flat-bottom turret. Then, with any 1/4-inch drive, rotate and lift the leveling bar until it engages and levels the scope in the rings. This will keep pressure on Dad’s scope, keeping it perfectly level as he locks it down. A real must for any dynamic hunter! MSRP: $44.00; fixitsticks.com.
Jaeger Pak Knife Set
Buying for a hunter who enjoys fully processing his own game? Look no further than the Jaeger Pak Knife Set from Outdoor Edge. Fully equipped to field dress and break down game of any size, this lightweight kit includes skinning, gutting and boning knives, a rib-cage spreader, a bone saw and a two-stage ceramic/carbide sharpener. All this packs down into a compact hard case, which will fit snugly in any hunting packs. MSRP: $69.96; outdooredge.com.
Halo CCL300 Laser Rangefinder
Is your dad a precision-minded bowhunter, with an eye for aesthetics? The Halo CCL300 Laser Rangefinder offers boatloads of function in a sleek-design package. Built with bowhunters in mind, the CCL300 delivers quick readings from 10- to 50-yards on animals, with a +/- one-yard degree of precision. A 5X magnification, meanwhile, allows for good assessment of shooting lanes for twigs, branches and other small obstacles. Maximum ranging distance is 600 yards, albeit on reflective targets. MSRP: $79.95; halooptics.com.
Helle Jegermester
With a name that literally means “Hunt Master,” the Jegermester, from Helle, will certainly make Dad feel like a hunting master next time he’s in deer camp. Designed specifically for butchering big game, its thin but inflexible blade makes carving around bones a little easier, while the length provides a good balance between use on deer and larger animals. Better yet, its sturdy construction of curly birch and 12C27 steel means it can be passed down from generation to generation of hunters, as a true family heirloom. As Helle is a Norwegian company, it can often be easier to pick one of these up off their Amazon store. MSRP: $139.00; helle.com.
Hawk Elevate Pro Safety Harness
Keep Dad safe in his treestand this fall, with the Hawk Elevate Pro Safety Harness. We know, Dad says he is surefooted as a mountain goat, and can’t be bothered with such trivialities, but trust us, it’s worth it. What’s more, the Elevate Pro is so light and comfortable he’ll barely realize he’s wearing it, so he really has no excuse not to don this extra line of defense against a bad fall. Quick release leg buckles with adjustable leg straps also allow the system to be tailored to the user, meaning it can be taken on and off with ease, despite its hefty 300-pound weight capacity. MSRP: $139.99; hawkhunting.com.
Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoe
The 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is quite an expanse, representing some of the most varied terrain in the country—from the low-deserts of Southern California to the snowy high Sierras. It is this demanding trail that inspired the Danner Trail 2650 Hiking Shoe, and while a PCT thru-hike may not be on Dad's list for this year, you can be sure that a shoe designed for the rigors of such an undertaking will hold up well in the Turkey woods, or when scouting in the offseason. The shoe's uppers combine leather and textile, making them both durable and lightweight, while mesh liners improve breathability. EVA midsoles are topped with open-cell OrthoLite footbeds for cushioning, while Trailguard platforms with exposed TPU shanks offer lightweight, athletic performance. Finally, Vibram 460 outsoles with Megagrip technology offer strong grip on wet and dry surfaces. MSRP: $150-$180; danner.com.
Leupold Performance Eyewear
Protect your father's eyes from the sun this year, with the help of Leupold's line of performance eyeware. Taking the lessons learned from decades of building riflescopes with some of the clearest glass in the industry, Leupold has entered the eyeware market, with a whole new line of sunglasses. Every pair is made from ballistic-rated materials, while three bear the full ANSI Z87.1+ rating. From the Twilight Max HD Light Management System that Leupold developed for its sport optics, to its Daylight Max UV protection, Leupold has long experience building lenses with impeccable clarity, and continues it in this line of eyeware. MSRP: $159.99-$189.99; leupold.com.
Sitka Drifter Duffle 50L
The perfect size to fit on a plane (when we all get back to flying, of course), the 50L Drifter Duffel, from Sitka, is the perfect accessory for Dad to pack along on his hunting trips. The highly water-resistant 150D-TPU-coated rip-stop fabric and waterproof 450D-welded TPU-coated rip-stop floor will keep his gear dry when transiting in a boat, on horseback or flying home with memories. Removable shoulder straps make shuttling gear easy, while four side handles and a top carry handle make it fully portable over short distances. Finally, a zippered pocket on the top lid helps organize documents and magazines, while the 3 internal mesh pockets keep gear sorted and clean from dirty clothes. MSRP: $169; sitka.com.
Biolite CampStove 2 Bundle
Does your dad like to grill his game meat? More specifically, does Dad like to grill far away from the comforts of home? If so, check out the CampStove2 Bundle, from Biolite. A classic woodburning camping stove with a modern twist, the stove boasts a fire-powered battery pack, which not only runs a fan to boost your flame, but can also be used to charge your phone, camera or any other USB-powered device. The bundle, meanwhile, includes a detachable grill, perfect for cooking up anything your heart desires, with a delicious wood-fired taste. A kettle pot, great for making coffee, tea or just boiling water for camp-style dehydrated meals, is also included. MSRP: $229.95; bioliteenergy.com.
Covert Scouting Cameras Blackhawk 20 LTE
Does your father love offseason scouting, but absolutely hate having to leave his couch or shop, to pull cards on game cameras? Covert Scouting has the product for him, with the Blackhawk 20 LTE in Realtree Timber Camouflage. Designed to work with the new Covert Wireless web portal and mobile app, the Blackhawk 20 LTE allows images to be accessed from any smart phone, tablet or computer, anywhere at any time, with real-time control, weather and wind information. The camera is motion- and heat-activated or time-lapse triggered, and sends your images over approved cellular-data networks. Running off 12 AA batteries, the camera features a 20 megapixel lens, GPS functionality, 5-second video (with audio) snippets, a 64-degree field of view, a four-second trigger speed, a 100-foot flash range with invisible flash technology, and much more. MSRP: $399.99; covertscoutingcameras.com.
Kuiu Pro 3600 Full Kit
Is Dad serious about tackling the backcountry? Make sure he is fully outfitted for his next excursion with the Pro Series, 3600 cu.-in. Full Kit pack system, from Kuiu. Also available in smaller and larger sizes, the Pro 3600 pack provides all the space you need for up to three days unsupported in the backcountry. The kit’s carbon-fiber frame provides lightweight support for all of it, while Pro Series suspension keeps the whole setup riding comfortable. For maximum concealment, order it in Kuiu’s new Valo camouflage. MSRP: $509.00; kuiu.com.