Christmas is right around the corner. I have struggled to figure out what gifts to purchase for others this year, just as I have struggled to prepare my own gift list for Santa. Fortunately, our family has developed a simple formula to help make the gift giving a bit easier. We have opted to gift each recipient something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. With this in mind, I have been able to pull together a few amazing gift items for the outdoorswomen in my life.
Something they want
One of my closest girlfriends has asked me repeatedly to take her turkey hunting. Sadly, our busy schedules have prevented us from going on an adventure together. This year, I will be gifting her a coupon for a turkey-hunting trip, with the promise that I will make my schedule work. One of the most precious gifts we can give to others is to give ourselves.
Together with the coupon, I will be gifting my friend a Gerber Myth Shotgun Multi-Tool. It is the perfect stocking stuffer for any discerning turkey hunter, waterfowler or upland bird hunter. The Multi-Tool includes 6 essential tools for the shotgunner:
I appreciate that the Shotgun Multi-Tool components lock into place for safe use. The Multi-Tool also offers a rubber scaled handle providing a secure grip, even in wet, rainy conditions. It is the perfect size to fit comfortably in my small hands and, weighing in at 5.9 ounces, it doesn’t weigh down my hunting pack. My friend is sure to love using it during our upcoming turkey-hunting adventure.
The Gerber Myth Shotgun Multi-Tool retails for $40 and is available through a number of retail and online stores, nationwide. Check here a retailer near you.
The Gerber Myth Shotgun Multi-Tool includes 6 essential tools for the shotgunner and retails for $40.
Something they need
This past year, I booked a trip hunt With Starr & Bodill African Safaris to South Africa for the summer of 2014 with 6 other women. In preparation for the trip, I purchased a new rifle, which, of course, needed a new sling. Próis Hunting and Field Apparel for Women fit this need with the Próis Leather Gun Sling. This gift is for me, and not someone else, and I could not quite wait until Christmas to get my hands on this gorgeous, genuine leather sling. Can you blame me?
Embossed with the Próis “P,” the remarkably comfortable, 3-inch padded shoulder strap fits perfectly. The sturdy construction continues to hold up, even after countless trips to the shooting range. I can already tell the quality craftsmanship will last a lifetime. The Próis Leather Gun Sling is available directly from Próis for $79.99.
After falling in love with the Próis Leather Gun Sling, I wrote a note to Santa and added both the Próis Leather Belt and Próis Leather Cartridge Holder to my personal wish list. Santa listened and made an early delivery. Próis (and Santa) did not disappoint! The Próis Leather Belt is a sturdy 1.5-inch heavyweight, genuine leather belt, that pairs nicely with the Próis Leather Cartridge Holder. I cannot wait to put both items to the test in Africa!
The Próis Leather Belt retails for $79.99 and the Próis Leather Cartridge Holder retails for $59.99.
The Próis Leather Belt retails for $79.99 and the Próis Leather Cartridge Holder retails for $59.99.
Something to wear
Earlier this year, I fell in love with the Columbia Sportswear Company’s women’s Baselayer boasting Omni-Heat thermal reflective technology. You can read my review of the baselayer system here. The Columbia Sportswear Trail Summit Headring is the perfect accompaniment to the baselayer system, and the perfect stocking stuffer for any outdoors enthusiast in cooler climates.
The Trail Summit Headring helps keep your ears warm, while allowing excess heat to escape from your head. This amazing bundle of stretchy, smooth fleece fabric offers a comfortable fit, is available in a variety of colors and in 2 differing sizes. Its low price of $16 makes it the perfect, small gift for many of my outdoors girlfriends.
My girlfriends in warmer climates, however, may prefer Columbia Sportswear’s Freezer Zero Neck Gaiter. The Freezer Zero Neck Gaiter features fabric implanted with thousands of small blue rings that expand upon contact with sweat or moisture. When the rings expand, they lower the temperature of the fabric, speeding up the wicking process and providing instant, yet continual cooling. The soft, comfortable fabric is also treated with Columbia’s Omni-Shade technology, providing you with UPF 50, eliminating the need for frequent sunblock application.
The Freezer Zero Neck Gaiter is perfect for my girlfriends who frequently find themselves on the water fishing. The added layer of sun protection not only helps keep you cool, but also helps prevent unnecessary sun damage to your skin. Available in a variety of neutral tone colors, the Freezer Zero Neck Gaiter retails for $30.
The Columbia Sportswear’s Freezer Zero Neck Gaiter provides UPF 50 sun protection.
Something to read
I have several women and young ladies in my life who are very interested in learning to hunt and shoot, but have not the slightest idea where to begin. They have each expressed to me the desire to learn more on the subject before they have their first hands on experience in the field. “The Gun Book for Girls” by Silvio Calabi, Steve Helsley and Roger Sanger is the perfect gift to get each of these ladies pointed in the right direction.
This excellent book about firearms and the shooting sports is geared toward women of all ages. “The Gun Book for Girls” teaches — through example and short story — on all things related to firearms, ranging from the history of firearms, to different modern day shooting methods. It includes sections on specialized clothing for women shooters, various hunting disciplines, self-defense and profiles of women who work in the industry. The book is written in an easy-to-read format with clearly defined terms and illustrations throughout. Although the book is geared toward the novice shooter, it is a refreshing read to the more experienced individual just the same.
“The Gun book for Girls” retails for $24.99 and is available through most national bookstores, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
This excellent book about firearms and the shooting sports is geared toward women of all ages. “The Gun Book for Girls” teaches — through example and short story — on all things related to firearms, ranging from the history of firearms, to different modern day shooting methods.
An experienced huntress, Michelle Whitney Bodenheimer has pursued big game, upland birds and waterfowl throughout North America and Africa. Although Michelle loves to hunt and shoot (both rifle and bow), her biggest passion in life is sharing her love for the outdoors with others. Michelle is the dedicated gear review columnist for Women’s Outdoor News, in a column called “Her Gear.” Michelle’s writings and photography also have been published in a number of outdoor journals, including On Target, Lady Angler, The Gun Dog Journal, The Shooting Channel and African Hunting Gazette. Michelle has been a repeat contributing guest on Outdoor GPS,a live hunting and fishing television program broadcast on Comcast SportsNet NW. When Michelle is not writing, she is serving her time as an outdoor educator. She is an active volunteer for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Outdoor Skills Program. Her primary responsibilities with ODFW are serving as a shotgunning coach and dog handler/guide for ODFW’s upland bird hunting clinics. Michelle also teaches regularly for Women in the Outdoors (WITO) and Becoming and Outdoors Woman (BOW) programs. She serves on the Pro Staff team for Cabela’s, as well as for the NW Ladies Hunt Camp, an educational outreach program hosted in conjunction with the NRA’s Women on Target Program and Extreme Desire TV, and is a member of the field staff for Próis Hunting and Field Apparel for Women. A current member of a number of national conservation organizations, Michelle is a life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations, as well as a life member of the National Rifle Association. She also served as a past director for the Southwest Washington chapter of Safari Club International. Take caution, however, if Michelle invites you along on a hunt. Having been stalked by a cougar and attacked by a cheetah, she tends to live life a bit on the wild side. View all posts by Michelle Whitney Bodenheimer
