Christmas gift ideas for the outdoor minded

Well, it’s that time of year again for my Christmas small gift and stocking stuffer ideas for outdoor men and women. Now that we are nearly a full week past Black Friday, you can tell things are beginning to heat up. What’s more, according to my calendar, we have just 21 days of shopping left. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
This year I became acquainted with a company called Quake Industries, who has two products that would make ideal gifts. The first is called “The Claw” all-weather equipment strap.
The equipment strap is designed for things like binoculars and cameras. They are non-slip, soft plastic straps with webbing that really stay on your shoulder when stooping, bending over or climbing.
The Claw also comes in rifle and shotgun sling designs.
I replaced the strap that came with my Canon EOS 5D camera that normally has a telephoto lens attached with The Claw equipment strap. So much for having to worry about my camera sliding off my shoulder anymore. The Quake Industries product worked. It stays pretty flexible down to 40 degrees and doesn’t absorb moisture on those wet and nasty days.
The second Quake Industries product will interest the shooting enthusiast in your family. It’s called the “Stack-a-rest.” The stack-a-rest hales itself as the world’s lightest and most versatile shooting rest. And, at only 10 ounces, it just might be.
The stack-a-rest consists of four locking sections constructed of closed cell foam. By stacking, the rest allows you to add or subtract sections to achieve the perfect shooting height.
I got to shoot a custom Bergara Premier Series LRC rifle chambered in the 6.5 Creedmoor round off the stack-a-rest system a couple months back during the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association’s annual conference in Eufaula, Alabama.
The stack-a-rest was so solid, it allowed me to place three little 6.5 mm holes into a target that looked like a three-leaf clover the way they touched one another.
The stack-a-rest pivots left or right and can be utilized from a vehicle hood or window, essentially providing a law enforcement application for the product if so intended.
To learn more about these and other Quake Industries products, visit their website and watch the various videos at www.quakeinc.com.
Another really cool product for securing your boat is “The Original Speed Cinch.” The speed cinch standard model handles double-braided nylon line from ¼-inch to ½-inch diameter. Four 1/8-inch diameter stainless screws allow the speed cinch to be secured to your boat or wharf, and you never have to tie a knot again.
Speed cinch also produces the Speed Cinch Stake for campers. Utilizing the same technology, the speed cinch is molded onto the top of a stake allowing you to easily secure your tent. I used the stakes for securing our two-man ground blind. During high winds, other than the flutter of the blind walls, never was I worried about the blind blowing over and going AWOL on me.
For more information on the Original Speed Cinch, visit www.speedcinch.com.
TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group has a product called “REAL MAGIC,” designed to lubricate your lines and fishing reels. The product comes in 3.5 ounce and 6 ounce spray bottles or an aerosol can. The product increases casting distance and reduces line coil memory. And, it can be used in both fresh and saltwater.
For the duck hunter, Sure-Shot Game Calls has a little call called the model 1010 “Rascal” 7-In-1. It produces the whistles of the wood duck, green-winged teal, wigeon and pintail. It can produce the guttural sound of a mallard drake as well as whistle of a bob white quail and surly call of a hawk when predator hunting. The package it comes in is ideal size for a stocking on the fireplace.
For information about the rascal call and other Sure-Shot Game Calls, visit their website at www.sureshotgamecalls.com.
One of the neatest products I came across this past year was the Click It Hot. This product can be used hot or cold. By tossing it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour, it then can be removed and used for cold therapy. However, to me, the best uses come by clicking it and getting it hot.
Inside the soft plastic is a metal clicker, so it’s called, suspended in liquid. By clicking the metal piece, it activates the liquid that immediately becomes hot.
You can use various size pads for hand, body or foot warmers while hunting or fishing. You also can use it for heat therapy for soothing sore muscles.
The round shaped pads are great for reducing fogged up binoculars, camera lenses and scopes quickly.
The pads are reusable by simply tossing them in a pot and boiling them when you get home. Pads come with a two-year warranty from date of purchase.
A couple packages of various size Click It Hot pads are in my day pack, camera bag or blind bag when I’m out in the woods, marsh or on the water.
For more information on the Click It Hot, visit their website at www.clickithot.com and order your pads today.
It wouldn’t be Christmas for the avid fisherman if there weren’t a new bait or two hidden in the toe of his stocking on the mantle. And this year there are plenty to choose from for both fresh and saltwater anglers.
In no particular order or preference, here are some that I’d suggest trying out. Keweenaw Tackle Co. has a lure out called the Fin Wing. It’s a lure that swims and should be great for sight casting for redfish. It is available in three sizes: ¼, ¾ and 1 ounce. They can be ordered at www.keweenawtc.com.
New from Egret Baits is the Mambo Mullet. If the Mambo Mullet is half as effective as their Vudu Shrimp, this will be another hot bait to try this year. The reverse hydro-cupped tail is designed to cause the bait to dance and shake as you retrieve it, thus soliciting a bite. I suspect this bait is going to be a real trout slayer.
For more information, visit www.egretbaits.com.
Strikezone Lure Co. is offering its new Master Blaster Hidden Weight Spinnerbaits in 3/8 through ¾ ounce. One small enticement that can be added is the Strikezone Zombie Fish Swimbait to the hook. The combination should be a real bass getter this spring.
Visit www.strikezonelure.com to see the whole product line of this Eufaula, Alabama, company’s lures.
I have to say this is really a partial list as 2015 was a great year for outdoor innovation and ideas. It’s always fun recapping a few Christmas gift ideas each year. Hopefully Mrs. Flores has paid attention and a few packages will be arriving at my doorstep in the next few weeks. Merry Christmas …
EDITOR’S NOTE: John K. Flores is The Daily Review’s Outdoor writer. If you wish to make a comment or have an anecdote, recipe or story you wish to share, you can contact him at 985-395-5586 or gowiththeflo@cox.net or on Facebook at Gowiththeflo Outdoors.