Written by Justin Park|
Last updated
Hunters are some of the easiest people on Earth to shop for. Their passion requires lots of stuff and they’re always looking for the next piece of gear that’ll be the difference-maker on a hunt.
That said, it’s also easy to get a hunter the wrong thing. In general, avoid trying to buy "core gear" for a hunter. This means stay away from bows, firearms, ammunition, arrows, and apparel.
What makes a great universal gift for a hunter? We’ve listed 10 of our best recommendations from gear we’ve tested and loved this year. Many of these items can be last-minute pickups in-person or rush-shipped to receive before Christmas.
Year-Round Outdoor Footwear: Huk Rogue Wave Boots
The deck boots make great boat footwear, but they’re an easy-on boot you can wear year-round to keep mud and snow at bay. The full rubber construction means there’s no chance of a waterproof membrane failing and while they’re not breathable for wearing indoors, they keep your feet surprisingly warm and there’s enough room in the fit to layer socks for really cold days. The fashion-camo colorways are a nice touch for the hunter in your life that doesn’t mind camo for everyday wear.
Outdoor-Oriented Watch: Coros Nomad Adventure Watch
Fitness and GPS watches can cost more than $1000 and come packed with features most people will never use. The Coros Nomad is a rugged-looking budget option that gives a hunter everything they need in a tracking watch and nothing they don’t. The maps are fast and easy to read and allow you to quickly mark spots with a pin. Tracking through the many outdoor modes allow you to get back to the truck safely as well.
Low-Cost Target Practice: SimpleShot Scout LT2 Slingshot
Going to the range is great fun, but requires a special trip and ever-increasing costs to burn up ammo. For a fun, lightweight, and low-cost way to enjoy the fun of plinking you can enjoy anywhere, consider a slingshot. SimpleShot's Scout LT2 is good enough for serious slingshot hunters but easy to learn and start popping cans in an hour. Cheap clay ammo is great for target practice, but steel ammo is available for actual close-range small-game hunting.
Gloves for Any Conditions: Chene Hydro Lok Insulated Gloves
Every hunter needs a good pair of gloves and they wear out, so even if they have a great pair right now, they’ll eventually need this gift. High-end waterfowl brand Chene makes an awesome waterproof insulated shell glove that they can layer for colder days with a liner glove or wear on its own on milder days.
Communicate Anywhere: Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio
If your hunter always hunts in an area with great cell service, radios might be a miss, but when service is spotty or non-existent, the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio is a must-have to stay in touch with your hunting partners. Unlike cheap radios, the Mountain Radios are durable and simple to use and come with a carabiner clip for hooking to your pack or jacket. If your giftee hunts by vehicle more often than not, consider the 5-Watt Expedition Radio which is bigger and heavier but has more range and a waterproof hand mic perfect for off-roading.
Monitor Hunting Grounds: Spypoint Flex Trail Camera
Trail cameras are the hunting technology it’s hard to imagine living without. These motion-triggered devices help hunters keep tabs on animals when they can’t be in the woods and are a year-round scouting tool. HLRBO uses Spypoint Flex cameras for subscriber-only real-time access to hunting leases, but try to find out if your hunter already has trail cameras and just buy more of those. They can never have too many, but it’s easiest if all their cameras are the same brand to avoid multiple apps and accounts.
Transform the Harvest: PS Seasonings Original Snack Stick Kit
If the hunter in your life likes to process their own game, this complete kit for making snack sticks from venison is the best we’ve tried. They’ll need a way to grind the meat as well, but everything else they’ll need is included to make a classic venison snack stick.
Cold Drinks on the Go: Goal Zero Alta 50 Electric Cooler
This might be the only type of cooler more expensive than a Yeti, but no hunter would turn one down for their vehicle. This is the ultimate truck accessory — a portable cooler that runs off a vehicle’s 12V outlet, a battery generator, or AC power. While it’s not big enough for cooling down a quartered elk, it guarantees cold beverages when you get back from a long day (or week) in the field.
Wear-Anywhere Outdoor Shirt: Poncho Outdoors Original Shirt
This fly-fishing style button-up is their new favorite shirt. Classy enough for the office, yet built for the outdoors with a mesh-backed vent and quick-dry construction, the Original will appeal to any outdoorsman. There are more than 30 color and pattern options, from classic camos, to more formal plaids and solids.
The Gift of Access: HLRBO Subscription
Last but not least, consider gifting yourself or someone else the gift of access. Hunting isn’t much fun without good hunting grounds and a HLRBO subscription grants special privileges on the site such as access to live trail cameras on leases, early access to new listings, and verification to make you a more attractive lessee to landowners. Our most popular plan is Silver, but you can view details on the different subscription tiers here.
Justin Park is a Colorado-based writer, editor, and avid hunter with a passion for the outdoors. He contributes to leading publications such as GearJunkie, Popular Mechanics, Powder, and Men's Journal, and serves as Editor of Wild Snow. Park is deeply involved in conservation and recreation advocacy, serving as Chapter Chair of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) in Summit County. He also represents RMEF on a state recreation committee focused on proactively addressing land use conflicts.