Gifts galore for hunters and anglers

Tis the season for decision making. What to buy?

It's complicated even more when that someone is a hunter or fisherman and doubt seeps in on whether or not such a gift is really appreciated.

Do you dare venture into a sporting goods store, walk the isles and pick a present?

According to a poll taken by Southwick Associates, a company specializing in fish and wildlife economics and statistics, you can't miss.

The question to fishermen: Do you like people purchasing fishing tackle for you as a gift?

The responses:
• I always welcome such gifts, 39 percent.
• Most of the time, if the person buying knows my fishing preferences, 26 percent.
• Sometimes, because I tend to buy what I need or I have very specific preferences, 29 percent.
• Do not like people buying fishing items for me, 5 percent.
• No opinion, 1 percent.
• Don't participate in gift giving, 1 percent.

The same question to hunters was: Do you like people purchasing hunting equipment for you as a gift?
• Yes, I welcome such gifts, 44 percent.

• Most of the time, if the person buying knows my hunting preferences, 26 percent.
• Sometimes, because I tend to buy what I need or have very specific preferences, 26 percent.
• Never, I don't like people buying hunting items for me, 3 percent.
• No opinion, 0 percent.
• Don't participate in gift giving, 1 percent.

Even in cases where respondents answered "sometimes," it appears the only requirement is the buyer know hunting or fishing preferences. Which simply means the buyer needs to know things like, does he or she like to fish for trout or bass or hunt for ducks or elk?

The nicest part about all this is there are gifts galore that won't break the bank.

Hand warmers, for example, are always a welcome gift. Most of the major hunts take place in cool or cold months. A lot of fishermen like to throw lures or worms in cool or cold months.

Hunters can always use a game bag or a roll of surveyor's tape to help mark trails or downed game. Plastic gloves make the care of game much easier and cleaner.

Then there are things like a camp chair, warm underwear, smart-wool socks, sharpening stone, fire starter, thermos, breathable gloves and hunter-orange hat.

Other ideas include range finder, backpack, ammo case, headlamp, first aid kit and compass.

To be more specific, consider game calls for those who hunt for everything from big game to geese to turkeys. And, of course, there are decoys for most all of the hunting categories.