Some of us have been so busy hunting that we haven't noticed Christmas sneaking up on us.
There is still plenty of time to buy your favorite sportsman a gift that matters.
COOLERS
Premium coolers are expensive, but they are worth every penny. I can now take a multi-day canoe trip in the heat of summer without worrying about lunch meats and other perishables spoiling.
That happened on our 2011 spring break trip on the Buffalo River with a regular cooler. My son Matthew got so hungry on the last day of that trip that he ate a sandwich of spoiled ham and turkey, despite warnings and recriminations from me and his sisters.
That was the same day Bobby Petrino ditched his Harley. It was a bad time for everyone, I guess.
Since then, a lot of new coolers have hit the market that are as good as the Yeti but less expensive. I've tried a good number of them and recommend the following wholeheartedly.
For car camping, the Coleman Esky 55 and the Igloo Sportsman 55 are my favorites. They hold ice as long as a comparable size Yeti, but for a lot less less. I also like the Pelican coolers, which have the best latches of the lot. All are very well built and tough enough to last a lifetime. Compare features and find the one that suits you best.
For shorter trips and for kayaking, a small cooler is more convenient. The 20-quart Yeti Roadie was the gold standard, but I like the Igloo Sportsman 20 better. At $250, it costs about the same, although I have seen it on special for $149. It fits perfectly into the cooler well on my fishing kayak, and it's also ideal as an auxiliary cooler for drinks and smaller items during extended trips.
TENTS
I have used a lot of tents over the years, and the selection of excellent, durable tents for hunting and fishing for a reasonable price is better than ever.
My favorite for car camping is the Coleman Hooligan 3. It costs about $100, but it has all the features you need to keep you comfortable and dry. That includes a full rainfly that leaves none of the main structure exposed. It also has a giant vestibule to store boots and other gear. I treated the fly with Kiwi waterproofing spray before using it, and it sheds water like a duck's back.
It's spacious enough for a queen air mattress with room to spare, and its thoughtful ventilation scheme makes it very airy.
Coleman markets the Hooligan 3 as a backpacking tent. It's too heavy for that, but it's suitable for canoe camping.
Tactical gear has permeated all segments of the outdoor world, including camping. Eureka has entered this arena with its Tactical Combat Tent. If you're looking for a highly functional "bugout" bivvy, this is it.
I have been using the two-person model. It is a rugged, heavy-duty shelter made of heavy-gauge, 70D ripstop nylon. The rainfly coating is pigmented polyurethane with blockout finish to prevent light from showing through. It is said to also provide protection against infrared.
It weighs a hefty 8 1/2 pounds, but it is said to withstand steady winds of 40 mph and gusts of 50 mph.
Other than the entryways, there are only a couple of small windows in the main shell. This is perfect for holding in heat in cold weather, but it's stuffy in warm weather compared to the Hooligan and other dedicated backpacking tents. It costs about $300.
EYE PROTECTION
Hunters and anglers need to protect their eyes, but quality eyewear also enhances hunting and fishing experiences.
I have tried shades from Costa, Onos and Hemingway. They are all very good, but Oakley's HD prescription lenses are in a class of their own. I've been using them for two years, and I wear them in lieu of my regular prescription glasses until the sun goes down.
Copper lenses eliminate glare and shadows. When hunting, they really do provide a 3-D, high-definition view of the woods. Because they are non-reflective, they make your eyes neutral to wildlife. In 2013, during a muzzleloader hunt at Madison County WMA, a spike buck walked to within six feet of me. He was quite aware, but since he couldn't see my eyes, he never spooked. I have experienced the same phenomenon with wild turkeys.
I like them for fishing, too, but gray or green lenses are probably better.
Sports on 12/04/2014