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Father's Day Gift Ideas

By Todd KoenigJune 12, 2013

LAST UPDATED: May 1st, 2015

With Father’s day looming, I decided to pick six gifts broken down into six categories to fit any budget. So, if you’re looking for a gift for that special outdoors-man in your life, someone who enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping, or camping, consider these items. By the way, I have included the individual product claims (italicized) for each item along with my personal review.

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Finding the perfect gift for the father in your life is easy….just get him something he can use while bowhunting!

UNDER $5 Checkmate Wind Checker $3.99

Dead Down Wind’s ScentPrevent™ Nanozyme™ technology attacks and destroys a broad spectrum of odors at the molecular level. Human scents, gas, smoke and other potential contaminants capable of spoiling a hunt can’t stand up to this enzyme scent-prevention defense. In fact, Nanozyme destroys odor molecules before they can attach to skin or clothing! Enzyme ScentPrevent™ additive breaks down odors at the molecular level to disguise them even in the slightest breeze.  Easy to carry in the field.

I check the wind often when hunting or stalking. With a quick squeeze of the bottle I am able to track delicate wind currents easily. This information then helps me decide which direction to travel or if I should change my physical stand location.

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Check the wind often and without the fear of spooking game with a quick squeeze of the bottle.

UNDER $10 Heat Factory Large Warmers – Package of 10 $9.99

Heat Factory Large Warmers can be used in pockets, stadium cushions and sleeping bags. Better yet, try them in one of many other Heat Factory accessories. With Heat Factory warmers you will never be cold again.
• The Heat Factory warmer is a soft, light-weight pouch containing an inert mixture of iron powder, charcoal, salt, water and vermiculite
• The pouch is made of soft cloth lined with a very thin layer of porous plastic for maximum durability
• The warmers are odorless, non-toxic and air-activated
• When exposed to air, a natural exothermic reaction generates consistent and prolonged heat
• Each Heat Factory large warmer provides 24+ hours of heat

I don’t go hunting without them.  I believe the bigger the better when it comes to these portable heat sources. The larger size of these bigger bags not only provides more heat, but also produces more surface area of generated heat. When temperatures start to drop, a couple of these can mean the difference between additional hours hunting or heading in to warm up.

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Keep your head, hands, or feet toasty warm with these small portable pouches.

UNDER $20 Joby GorillaPod $19.95

• Capture better perspective: flexible, wrapable joints secure camera to objects and position the camera at any angle to frame the perfect shot
• Stability on any surface: rubberized ring/foot grips allow you to capture crisp photos, even in low light
• Portable: flexible and lightweight legs allow you to easily store and carry when on the go
• Peace of mind: lock ring ensures your camera is safely attached
• Quick setup: quick-release clip stays connected to your camera

I purchased this product when it first debut around 2005 and it is still going strong.  At the time, there was only one model made, the product review I listed. Today there are many choices based on the type and weight of your camera or even the color you desire. My GorillaPod has been on every hunting trip, adventure, or vacation.

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The GorillaPod can be used to support a camera, spotting scope, binoculars, video camera, or anything that has a standard tripod socket.



UNDER $50 The Havalon Piranta – EDGE with Blaze Orange Handle $36.95

Our best seller for field dressing and skinning, the Piranta-Edge features surgically-sharp replaceable blades and an easy-to-find blaze orange handle. It’s always sharp – just replace the blades and go! Each knife includes 12 additional stainless steel #60XT blades. The overall length of the knife open is 7-1/4″. You’ll like the easy-grip black rubber inlay, liner-lock construction and pocket clip.
You’ll appreciate the light weight of this skinning and caping knife: less than three ounces. And no need to carry extra knives, heavy files, stones or other sharpeners.

The concept of this knife is brilliant. I have used it to clean one pronghorn and two whitetail and have never had any problems. When the blade gets dull, you simple remove the current blade and switch it out with a new surgical razor sharp blade and continue your task at hand.  When gutting and skinning, finding your knife lying in the grass or leaves can be a constant problem.  With this knife, that is no longer an issue.  The blaze orange handle stands out and reduce the chances of you losing your knife during the cleaning process.  When your job is completed, it is also quick and easy to clean.

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Lightweight, razor sharp, and bright, this knife will get the job done and not get lost.

UNDER $200 Brunton RecSync  $168

Dead electronics can ruin any outing. Brunton Hunting has a new portable power pack designed for demanding USB equipped devices like tablet computers, e-readers, smart phones, and GPS units. The Brunton ReSync has a power gauge and auto shut-off, is all-weather tough with its rubberized shell, weighs just 10-ounces, and easily stows in a backpack or fanny pack. The ReSync is a 9000mA rechargeable lithium polymer battery, that’s water resistant and compact at 2.7” x 5.7” x 0.9”.

The Brunton RecSync allows anyone in the backcountry access to powering up their electronics without a wall charger. It uses sunlight to charge your phone, cameras, or computers. While I have never tried to charge my computer, it works wonderfully on my smartphone, digital cameras, and small digital video cameras. It comes with several adapters that allow you the ability to charge a variety of electronic equipment.  You can also charge the device using a wall outlet or computer.  This will essentially turn it into an extra battery. Because of this ability, I pre-charge mine prior to any trip in the case of completely overcast skies. I have been pleasantly surprised with the Brunton RecSync’s ability to charge on cloudy days, but it will take more time to achieve a full charge.

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Use the energy from the sun to power up your electronics while in the field.

UNDER $500  $399.99 GoPro HERO3: Black Edition

KEY CAMERA SPECS
• 1080p60 / 720p120 / 1440p48 /
4kp15 / 2.7kp30 / WVGA-240fps
• 12MP / 30 fps Burst
• Wi-Fi Built-In
• Wi-Fi Remote Included
• GoPro App Compatible
• Pro Low-Light Performance
Smaller, lighter and 2X more powerful, again.
The Wi-Fi enabled HERO3: Black Edition is the most advanced GoPro, ever. No expense was spared during its development, resulting in a GoPro that is 30% smaller, 25% lighter and 2x more powerful than previous models. Wearable and gear mountable, waterproof to 197′ (60m), capable of capturing ultra-wide 1440p 48fps, 1080p 60 fps and 720p 120 fps video and 12MP photos at a rate of 30 photos per second, the HERO3: Black Edition is the world’s most versatile camera. Built-in Wi-Fi, GoPro App compatibility and the included Wi-Fi Remote (normally a separate $79.99 accessory) make the HERO3: Black Edition all the more versatile.

This is a Point of View Camera that I have been drooling over for several years. It includes a multitude of accessories that allow you to attach the video camera to about anything you can imagine and record any activity you are interested in.  It is small, waterproof, and the HD capability produces impressive video.

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Record all your adventures from your perspective with this HD video camera.

I hope you find something above that makes the dad in your life feel more special this Father’s day. Until next time….

Todd Koenig
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