If I really had to nail down a favorite time of year, I’d have to say it’s the holidays. The air is cooler, we’re right in the middle of hunting seasons, the food is great, and more quality time is spent with friends and family. We look forward to it every year in my house and I still feel like a kid on Christmas morning at the ripe age of 34. As an avid hunter, I’m often asked by non-hunting significant others what gifts they should get for the hunter in their life. It can be tough not knowing a thing about this hunting stuff. So, I’ve put together a list of 2020 gear items that I think should be on anyone’s radar this holiday season. A 2020 Hunter Holiday Gift Guide!
Argali just recently came out with some killer new gear this past Fall for 2020. The Argali Carbon Knife and their game bags have become favorites among hunters since their release. Now, in addition to those, Argali has released 2 more knives, being the Argali Col Knife and the Argali Serac Knife. Both are made from S35VN steel, meaning that both will hold an edge extremely well. Minimalists will love the Col, as it comes in at 1 ounce. Despite its little to no weight, the Col still has the body to handle any big game out there, while staying razor sharp. It’s big brother, the Serac, will surely win the hearts of hunters across the country. The Serac is comparable to the Carbon Knife, but has a deeper bellied blade. This deeper belly will really shine when one starts skinning big game. In addition to the different blade shape, this knife also comes with a ferro rod striker that rests on the spine. A fantastic and unique feature that will help with lighting stoves and starting fires when the temps drop. The Serac will tip the scales at just 2.1 oz. On top of these new knives Argali also came out with some other new gear. A killer new branded on the Yeti Rambler coffee mug and Icon Nalgene water bottle.
Good arrow flight is paramount in bowhunting. An arrow needs to be straight and true in order to achieve this. Arrow spinners really are a great item for any bowhunter to have, especially if they are building their own arrows. Both an affordable and practical item.
There have certainly been times at the archery range when my hands get raw from pulling arrows out of targets. 3d shoots are especially when this happens and I know I’m not the only one. To squash this issue, consider picking up an arrow puller. You’ll get an even better grip on the arrow and save the meat on your hands in the process.
While we’re on the topic of arrows, here are some that deserve your attention. Day Six Gear has been making some positive noise out there with their HD line of arrow shafts. These aren’t your run of the mill arrows that one can buy at Wally World. These are truly quality arrows built for bowhunters by bowhunters and made to withstand the worst of conditions. They come in a variety of different spines ranging from 250 all the way to 500. Day Six Gear arrows are built to last. Their broadheads are another thing that should be on your radar. Put the arrows and broadheads together and you’ve essentially got a freight train with a knife on the front of it.
Let’s cap off this arrow conversation with an arrow rest built like a tank. The Hamskea Trinity Hunter Pro is tough enough to handle any hunt out there. Being limb driven, it’s easy to adjust, and doesn’t require a bow press. It also offers full containment, so your arrow doesn’t fall out of the rest on your stalk or while sitting in the stand. To make things even more personable for someone, Hamskea can put a custom engraving on the rest. Give the gift of reliability with one of these bad boys.
A few years back, a friend of mine and I were packing into a spot for deer here in Arizona. Along the way, he ended up taking a nasty spill down a rocky drainage. Luckily, he was okay. His bow sight though? That was a different story. That sight actually snapped like a twig and he suffered the consequences of having to head back to town and lose hunting time. Black Gold is what I’ve always shot in terms of bow sights and they’ve never let me down. It’s exceptional quality meets a no fuss warranty. That’s exactly what my buddy picked up and years later, he’s still a happy hunter. The Black Gold Pro Sight is a beast and surely one that will put a smile on the archery hunter’s face in your life.
Super ultralight meets warmth. First lite continues to impress year after year with more and more quality gear items. 2020 was no exception with a slough of new clothing available. One of the items that I’ve been loving is their new Brooks Down Vest. I’m a huge fan of the Brooks Down Sweater, but the vest brings things to a whole different level of ultralight packability. It’s made with 800 Fill 37.5 active down and has really helped my kit this season. This vest packs down so small, I can literally put it in my pocket!
Finding a good pair of boots can sometimes be a hair pulling experience. With all of our feet being different, on top of our particular experiences and needs, it’s just a tall order to recommend a boot. I’m gonna try though, so here it goes. This past season I’ve been running the Non-Insulated Crispi Briksdals. Last season I wore the Crispi Colorado and was super happy. The Briksdal has definitely won my heart though and has become my new favorite boot. Being a stiffer boot, they offer the support you need, especially when hunting in steep terrain. They come packed with everything an avid hunter needs from a boot. Check them out. I’m glad I did.
A backpack can make or break a hunt. So, getting a good one is an absolute must. I’ve been running Exo Mountain Gear backpacks for quite a few years now and don’t plan on switching any time soon. They’re rugged and can handle more weight than you can carry. Their 1800 daypack is a great addition to any hunter’s gear list. Because Exo’s frame works with all of their different bag sizes, you’re getting the same support and dependability no matter if you’re slinging the 4800 or this 1800 daypack. The 1800 carries everything you need and nothing that you don’t.
I’m a coffee drinker and if the hunter in your life is as well, listen up. Dark Timber Coffee has been putting a smile on my face in the backcountry for years and their Gravity Packs have become my favorite. This is a pour over system, so you’ll need to bring an extra cup besides the one with your stove. It’s easy to use, DELICIOUS, and puts the instant coffee in grocery stores to shame. There’s no reason to drink crap coffee on a hunt. Dark Timber has your back.
Sharp knives go a long way and being able to do it efficiently yourself goes even farther. The Worksharp Ken Onion Knife Sharpener has sent me on a knife sharpening mission throughout my house. Everything from my hunting knives to kitchen knives has been sharpened. This thing is so easy to use and it just plain works. Every time after I get home from processing an animal in the field, my knife hits this sharpener and in no time, it’s ready to rock for another adventure. This is another must have for hunters.
Who doesn’t love a new shaker or tumbler? Wilderness Athlete has got you covered with some killer new gear in this department. One of my favorites is the Multican 12 oz tumbler. There is a built in bottle opener on the bottom and it holds both cans and most bottles. These are a far stretch from those koozies of the past that faded and fell apart over time. With these, those days are gone, and looking much better.
When I was a kid, I used to hate getting clothing for Christmas. Nowadays, I quite like it! Vortex Optics has been rolling out with new apparel recently, and I’ve gotta say, this stuff is nice. Some of it is so nice, I joke and call them things like “my dad jacket.” Just because it looks more adult than my plain hoodies, haha. So give the gift of swag and represent a bad ass optics company in the process. You can use the code DIALED20 to save some coin on your order as well!
I know, I know. Shameless plug here though. The response I’ve gotten from my book, Becoming a Backpack Hunter, has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you so much to anyone that has picked up a copy and it means more than you know that you’d take the time to read my scribblings. If there is someone in your life that’s been knocking around the idea of getting into backpack hunting, give the gift of knowledge. This book is a beginner’s guide to hunting the backcountry and one that will lay a path for any beginner out there. So, not only will you give the gift of knowledge, but also the one of adventure.
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