Hunting and fishing are not just for men. Nationally, 9 percent of hunters and 25 percent of anglers are women. But it can still be tough to find a gift for the outdoorswoman on your Christmas list.
Consider the most common problems experienced by women who hunt and fish: It’s difficult to get started in the first place, well-fitting clothes are hard to find, and guns often don’t fit properly. These three issues are perfect opportunities for gift-giving this Christmas. Some great ideas to address them include outdoor instruction, waders, boots and clothing made specifically for women, and gun alterations.
National research shows that women who hunt and fish often start later in life and may have less experience than men. Instruction in the outdoors is the perfect gift for women who are just getting started. Consider shooting or casting lessons, a guided fishing trip or instructional books and DVDs. If you’re experienced in an outdoor activity she’s interested in, create a homemade coupon for a day of your time at the range, in the woods or on the water.
One of the best gifts you can give a beginner is a gift certificate for a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop. The three-day workshops, offered by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources several times a year, introduce women to hunting, fishing, hiking and more. Participants are taught by experienced instructors, both men and women. It’s a great way for women new to the outdoors to meet female role models, strike up friendships with other budding outdoorswomen and learn the basics in a non-intimidating atmosphere. Go to fw.ky.gov and click on “Special Programs” or call 1-800-858-1549 to learn more. Gift certificates are available in any amount up to the full workshop fee by mailing a check or money order to KDFWR BOW Program, #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, Ky. 40601.
For women already active in hunting or fishing, it can be difficult to find clothes, boots and other equipment that fits. But several companies now offer a small selection of women-specific items, and a couple of small specialty companies cater only to the outdoorswoman.
There are several models of full-length waders on the market made just for women. Good women’s waders are cut to fit a female shape and proportions, but are as tough and well-designed as men’s versions. Look for the same features you’d want in any good pair of waders - breathable materials, reinforced knees, comfortable suspenders and a strong belt.
Men’s boots are made for men. Unfortunately, many wading or hunting boots, including some of the best models available, are not made in women’s sizes. A smaller men’s size may work with some boots on some women, but many outdoorswomen find men’s boots too wide and tall. Even if you need to choose something other than the latest, greatest boot on the market in order to get a women’s size, that’s probably going to fit the woman on your list better than a cutting-edge model that trips her on the way to the tree stand.
Hunting clothing is notoriously hard to find in women’s sizes. While stores stock a variety of materials, camo patterns and sizes for men, the women’s section tends to be sparse or nonexistent. Make the extra effort and find what’s available. Men’s shirts and jackets are usually too large in the shoulder, binding in the chest and narrow at the hip, and pants are too big in the waist, small in the hip and inches too long. The more buyers choose to purchase women-specific clothing - not men’s sizes - the more women’s models will come on the market in the future.
Many people, especially women, shoot production guns that simply don’t fit. For the female hunter or shooter on your list, consider a custom fitting by a stockmaker or gunsmith. Precision fitting can be as simple as swapping recoil pads or as complex as shortening a stock or raising a comb, which means it is not a good surprise gift. Take her with you to the gunsmith for exact measurements.
Buying gifts for the outdoorswoman can be a challenge. You may need to get creative with your gift ideas, or peruse catalogs, go online or drive a little farther to find a store that carries outdoor items tailored for women. But the effort is worth it. Women who are comfortable in the outdoors, thanks to well-fitting clothes and equipment and enough know-how to have a safe and fun day outside tend to stick with hunting and fishing for the long haul. That’s the best gift of all.
Hayley Lynch is an award-winning writer for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. She is an avid hunter and shotgun shooter.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, has an economic impact to the state of $4.8 billion annually. For more information about the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
This holiday season, consider one of these great gift ideas when shopping for anyone who loves to spend time outdoors. And while you’re at it, pick something up for yourself.
New from Berkley (http://www.berkley-fishing.com), Gulp! Alive! is the next generation in fish-catching technology that gives the angler in your life a way to catch fish without the hassles of live bait. Voted Best Soft Lure at 2007 ICAST, Gulp! Alive! is available in nine shapes and a bevy of colors for a multitude of fresh- and saltwater applications as well as a spray attractant that can be applied to any bait. Sold in both quart and pint buckets, Gulp! Alive! baits are suspended in powerful Gulp! liquid making them 20 percent more effective than even first-generation Gulp! baits. (800-228-4272, $8.99-$39.99)
A tried-and-true design and careful craftsmanship make the Smith & Wesson (http://www.smith-wesson.com) 1000 Series semiautomatic shotguns the new choice for hunters, recreational shooters and personal defense. Among the lightest weight and most reliable self-loading shotguns on the market, the new 1000 Series are durable, capable of handling today’s hardest-recoiling loads and come in both 12 and 20 gauge and 29 separate configurations to satisfy the needs of discriminating shooters. Between Nov. 1, 2007 and Jan. 31, 2008, purchase any new 1000 Series shotgun from a participating dealer and receive five Trulock specialty choke tubes or purchase a Smith & Wesson Model 22A for $49. (800-331-0852, $650-$925)
If there’s anything that outdoors enthusiasts love more than camping and cooking out, it’s a new gadget. New from Coleman (http://www.coleman.com), the Electronic Radio Cooler brings dad’s two loves together by doubling as a cooler and an AM/FM radio. The 36-quart cooler is built with legendary Coleman quality and has enough room for 46 12-ounce cans plus enough ice to keep them cool. And once the cookout begins, the AM/FM radio features a weather band, clock, alarm, MP3 and headphone jack — all operating on four C batteries. (800-835-3278, $65.00)
This holiday, give the hunters and shooters in your life more access to the sports they love. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (http://www.nssf.org) suggests giving family and friends a membership to a local shooting range, a few hours of range time, a bird hunt at a prime location close to town or across the country, new gear, or a 2008 hunting license. On the Internet, visit http://www.huntandshoot.org for free lists of places to get outdoors, plus many great services for all hunters and shooters.
Serious fishing calls for serious tools. Give your favorite anglers the toughest and most technologically advanced fishing tools this Christmas with the new line of TEC Tools from Berkley (http://www.berkley-fishing.com). From hook sharpeners to fillet knives, digital scales and superline shears, these TEC Tools are suited for the rigors of both serious fresh- and saltwater angling and features ergonomically designed handles, making them easier to hold and use for extended periods of time. The TEC Tool family also includes the Berkley TEC Pistol Grip, voted Best Fishing Accessory at 2007 ICAST. (800-228-4272, $9.99-$99.99)
Give the shooter in your life the ultimate way to display their firearm collection. New from Smith & Wesson (http://www.smith-wesson.com), the Gun Suite is a solid wood gun storage unit that holds up to eight firearms. With adjustable shelves and three drawers for additional storage space, the Gun Suite also features a hand-etched Smith & Wesson logo on each door. Sure to be treasured for generations, the Gun Suite can be locked with a key and is available in five different woods and seven separate finish options. (800-331-0852, $1,880)
Get the most light out your lantern this holiday season without sacrificing a lot of space. The new Exponent 4AA Pack-Away Lantern from Coleman weighs just eight ounces and closes to a compact 3.2 inches tall. When darkness comes, the Pack-Away Lantern opens to less than 5 inches tall and offers up to 12 hours of illumination and three different settings to make outdoor activities more enjoyable. Featuring a carabiner clip for easy carrying, the Pack-Away lantern runs on just four AA batteries, making it easy and inexpensive to operate. (800-835-3278, $34.99)
Cold-season hunters and angler will have a decisive advantage over icy temperatures when heading out into the field this year. Whether facing cool, damp mornings on opening day or bone-chilling north winds, the new ThermoLogic (www.thermologicgear.com) line of clothing includes hats, gloves, vests and jackets and will provide users with the latest technology in heated apparel. When wearing the new ThermoLogic line from NTA Enterprises, archaic wires and bulky batteries are things of the past. Unlike other electrically powered, heated garments, the technology behind ThermoLogic is applied directly on the apparel, resulting in a product that is durable, washable and practical. (877-945-6837, $35.00-$250.00)
Feed the ones you love with recipes from Ranger Boats co-founder, Nina Wood. Nina’s favorite recipes from her own collection as well as from her family and friends, plus some of her favorite outdoor cooking tips and some stories and wisdom collected during an eventful lifetime in Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains are all collected in a cookbook entitled Nina’s Favorite Recipes. Copies of the book are available for $9.95 plus $2.50 shipping. To order, call the Forrest L. Wood Outdoor Sports Gallery at (870) 453-3210.
