It’s once again that time of year, when the gravy flows, the turkey warms in the oven and, if your family is anything like ours, a generous portion of backstrap is seared to perfection. Of course, though these are the true highlights of Thanksgiving time, that is not all the season brings. On Friday, the stores will be jam-packed with folks looking for the best deals they can find on Christmas gifts, while Monday will see a similar flurry of activity, simply from behind computer screens. With such a hectic crush, it can often become easy to lose track, both of the true spirit of gift-giving ... and exactly what gift you walked into Cabela’s to buy in the first place. We here at American Hunter figured we’d lend a helping hand, with the sportsman’s guide to Black Friday and Cyber Monday gift-buying sales and deals.
Cordova 30oz. Woodgrain Tumbler
Is your hunter’s coffee cold by the time they gets to the blind? Consider the 30-oz. Woodgrain Tumbler, from Cordova. With the double-wall construction for almost unparalleled insulation, the Tumbler sports a no-spill slider lid, and durable stainless-steel construction. Despite this sturdy design however, it is power coated to look like beautiful woodgrain, a well-thought-out combination of classic form with modern functionality. Even better, the price tag is far more manageable than you may be accustomed to from some other, similar brands. The Tumbler is also available in a 20-oz. size, for those with a smaller thirst to slake. cordovaoutdoors.com; MSRP: $12.57
Gerber Vital Pack Saw
Need a lightweight way to get through that big-buck’s pelvic bone? Look no further than the Gerber Vital Pack Saw. We here at American Hunter have tried just about every way under the sun to field-dress a deer, and few things make that easier than the Vital Pack Saw. Weighing in at just 3 ounces, the saw and sheath are virtually unnoticeable on your belt line, but make all the difference during processing. Razor sharp, the blade makes it through the pelvis in just a few rearward strokes, while it’s 90-degree tip prevents any unintentional piercing or poking. It can also be used to hack through other bones during butchering. gerbergear.com; MSRP: $21
HuntStand Pro App
Does your hunter need a new way to track their hunting area? Check out the Huntstand Pro App. From being able to mark and view hunting grounds in 3D, to full topographic details, to nationwide property information, HuntStand is the perfect app for any enterprising hunter. It can be used fully offline, too. For only $24.99 a year, this would make a great gift for any hunter on your list. huntstand.com; MSRP: $24.99
Winchester Blind Side Shotshells
Perhaps your hunter has had some trouble limiting out this season. If so, check out Blind Side High Velocity shotshells, from Winchester. Utilizing Hex Steel Shot and a diamond cut wad, these are some of the most deadly waterfowl loads available, promising a larger kill-zone for more pellets on target, and more trauma. Coming in 12- and 20-gauge for 3- and 3.5-inch chambers, there is almost certainly a Blind Side for your hunter’s favored fowling piece. winchester.com; MSRP: $27.99/Box of 25
Fix it Sticks General & Home Use and Shooting & Hunting Edition Replaceable Set
Maybe the sportsman in your life already has warm feet. But do they have a quick and easy way to keep their scope dialed and their guns running right? Consider the General & Home Use and Shooting & Hunting Edition Replaceable Set, by Fix it Sticks. With 16-18 different task-focused bits held in each molded bracket (this set comes with 2, as the name implies), these are almost guaranteed to always contain the perfect tool for the job. To use the bits, two of the company’s trademark “Fix it Sticks” are included in each bracket, and combine to form a T-handle. Simply snap your desired bit in place, snap the sticks together, and get fixin! The price on this bundle has already been dropped 15-percent for the holidays, who knows how much further it may go. store.fixitsticks.com; Sale price: $68 (originally $80)
Kuiu Pro Bino Harness
Shopping for a backcountry hunter who is sick and tired of inaccessible binos, dirty lenses, and an uncomfortable harness? Kuiu has the solution to all these problems, with its updated Pro Bino Harness. Sporting a top that now closes all the way, catching below the rear of the pack instead of riding on top, this Bino Harness is sure to keep out all the deer-obscuring dirt and dust that can accumulate so easily in other models. Despite this superior level of protection, the top is still fully silent, and opens with just a single hand. It further boasts two side pockets, of the perfect size for a Kestrel or other small accessory, and a harness independent of the bino-straps, for maximum comfort. The pack is available in all of Kuiu’s well-imagined camo patterns, including Vias, Verde and Valo, as well as solid colors Ash and Steel Grey. Sizes run from Large, perfect for a standard pair of 10X42mms, to eXtra Large, which can fit most any behemoth, including range-finding binos. kuiu.com; MSRP: $99
Lacrosse Ice King Boots
Let’s face it. Everyone loves a little snow, but no one loves winter’s icy chill. Particularly when they can feel it on their feet. Lacrosse is here to help with this chilling problem, with their 10-inch Ice King Boots. Designed for the unabashed ice-fisherman, or the die-hard late season hunter, Ice Kings are built for where the temp dips below -20-degrees Fahrenheit, and the snow blankets thick all season long. With 400G of Thinsulate Ultra, a ¾-inch thick removable Poly Foam Liner, a waterproof full-grain leather upper, and a natural rubber bottom, its not hard to see why. Further, a trac-lite outsole will prevent your warm feet from slipping and sliding in these slippery conditions. lacrossefootwear.com; MSRP: $180
Primos Double Bull SurroundView 270 Ground Blind
Dubbed the "blind without a blind spot," the Primos Double Bull SurroundView 270 features one-way see-through walls, so your hunter can keep an eye on surroundings, without being seen. Setup is fast and easy—the company boasts seven seconds—while interior room is ample enough even for bowhunters. The blind comes in Primos Exclusive Truth Camo, with a mix of shadows and patterns for concealment in all ground-level hunting conditions. primos.com; Sale price: $299.99 (originally $399.99)
Sitka Fanatic Jacket/Bib
Does your hunter need to stay warm and concealed? Check out the Fanatic Jacket and Bib, from Sitka. Using sound-suppressing fabric, the Sitka Fanatic is built with high-loft Berber Fleece, Gore-Tex Infinium and PrimaLoft Silver Hi-Loft Ultra Insulation. The jacket specifically comes with a Constant-Connect Safety Harness Port, which eliminates the need to disconnect a harness when adding or subtracting layers. sitkagear.com; Sale Price: $359.20 each (originally $449)
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10X42
Decide on the Pro Bino Harness, but realize your hunter may need some better glass to go in it? Consider the Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10X42. The “jack-of-all-trades” magnification, 10X42s are great for everything from glassing wide-open prairie for pronghorn, to picking apart dense treelines for deer. These HD binos are compact, lightweight, and boast Leupold’s Twilight Max HD Light Management System, for brightness, edge-to-edge clarity and glare management. While certainly the most expensive item on this list, its hard to skimp on good glass. leupold.com; MSRP: $649.99
