In well-organized households, by this time of the season much of the holiday shopping has been completed. But if your household is anything like mine, there still are smaller presents to be bought as stocking stuffers for spouses or children.
You know, things that perhaps aren't among the list of necessary items, but gadgets and thing-a-ma-bobs that might otherwise be passed over by the family fishermen, boaters or hunters.
A lot of outdoor gear is hard to buy for someone else without knowing exact preferences for rods and reels, shotguns and rifles or electronic gear for boats. But there are some items that are common to the needs of fishermen, hunters and boaters -- tools and knives, flashlights, vacuum bottles and binoculars, for example.
One of the best multipurpose tools on the market is the Leatherman, a combination of knife, pliers, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, leather punch and awl, wire cutter and stripper and can opener. And while there are several companies manufacturing multipurpose tools, the needle-nose pliers on the Leatherman series give it a little more versatility than the other brands.
The Leatherman comes in three sizes -- mini, original and super -- with the original ($38) suitable to most uses. The tool carries a 25-year warranty.
Sheath knives also are versatile, and the Buck Pathfinder with a 5-inch blade, is a good-quality, general-use tool for about $40.
There are dozens of flashlights on the market at a wide variety of prices, but Mag-Lite and Brinkman make units that are waterproof, have high-impact cases and strong bulbs.
The Mag-Lite, in particular, is a good unit, having a focusing spot or flood beam, weather-proofing o-rings and a rotary switch to prevent accidental lighting. The Mini Mag-Lite sells for about $10, and four- to six-battery versions of the Mag-Lite run about $20.
Browning makes a small, tough unit called the 10mm Ballistic Lite, which is waterproof and sells for about $12.
For hunters, fishermen or boaters whose hands are otherwise occupied, the TopSpot is a flashlight that can be carried worn strapped to the head or placed around the neck. It costs about $20.
With the winter waterfowl and deer seasons upon us, a stainless steel vacuum bottle that can be taken into the field without fear of breakage or much heat loss might be well appreciated. Two of the good ones on the market are made by Igloo (1 quart $30) and Nissan (almost 2 quarts $40). A nice addition to either is a camouflaged cover, which will eliminate the possibility of sunlight glinting off the thermos and scaring away birds or game.
Binoculars run a wide range of prices and styles, but for between $40 and $75, a number of manufacturers make units that are serviceable, are waterproof and rubber armored. For anyone moving around near the water, it also makes good sense to pick up a binocular strap that will float a pair of binoculars that fall into the water. The straps run about $20.
For sailors, wool watch caps ($8 to $10) and goatskin gloves without fingertips ($15 to $20) are good choices for use in early spring or late fall.
Hand-bearing compasses also are nice to have on board, especially for cruisers who are heading into unfa
miliar waters. Davis Instruments makes simple, reliable units that run between $30 and $40.
For waterfowl hunters, warm and waterproof gloves can make a day in the field a pleasure rather than a touchy subject. Several manufacturers now make lightweight and flexible gloves with wind and waterproof GoreTex and Thinsulate linings. Try to match up the camouflage on your hunter's jacket or parka. Roughly $30 a pair.
Toe warmers of the compressible, chemical type sell for about $1.75 a pair and can be more welcome than waterproof gloves.
A gun-cleaning kit, with brushes to fit the bores of most rifles and shotguns, runs between $20 and $30 and usually includes a case in which to keep the components organized. Anyone who hunts knows the value of a clean, properly oiled weapon.
Perhaps the best stocking stuffers for hunters, however, are game calls for ducks, deer, turkey, geese, quail doves, etc. There are many manufacturers and many styles and prices range from $5 to $30 for basic units, including several that come with demonstration tapes.
For fishermen, hook sharpeners are a good choice, as are de-hookers, fly and lure boxes and directional trolling weights.
Hook sharpeners range from under $5 for a diamond dust-groved unit the size of a stubby pencil, to a battery-operated gizomo called the Power Stone at about $20. Unless the fishermen in your family are challenged physically, the low-priced units should work just fine.
With catch and release of rockfish legal, hook and release technique is especially important for bay fishermen. There are several types of hook release devices on the market, and all work well. As an example, a stainless steel version of the Hookout, which is made for use in salt water, runs about $10.
Traditionally, bay trolling is done with lead weights that are increased or decreased in size to fish deeper or more shallow. There are a couple of companies around that have manufactured planing weights that dive to a preset depth and then release when a fish is hooked, leaving the angler to fight the fish rather than the trolling weight. One unit is called the Dipsy Diver, which can be set for depth and direction. A set of two costs less than $10.
And for that fisherman in the house who comes home with stories about the monsters caught and released or who wants to know the weight of the fish he just caught, hand-held digital and conventional fish scales range from $6 to $50.
CALENDAR
Saturday: Mountain Club of Maryland hike at Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park.
Saturday: Chesapeake Bay Country Wanderers 10K walk, bike and swim events, Folger McKinsey Elementary School, 175 Arundel Beach Road, Severna Park. For more information, call (410) 647-2196 before 9 p.m.
Saturday through Dec. 31: Muzzleloader season for deer.
Sunday: Sierra Club Baltimore Group hike at Lake Rowland in Robert E. Lee Park.
Sunday: Mountain Club of Maryland hike at Sugarloaf Mountain. For more information, call (410) 944-1494.
Sunday: Mountain Club of Maryland wildlands hike with Lancaster Hiking Club.
Through Dec. 30: Second split of Canada goose hunting season. Bag limit 1, possession limit 2.
Through Dec. 31: Hunting season for male pheasant in all counties except Garrett. Bag limit 1 per day, 2 per season.
Through Jan. 14: Third split of duck hunting season. Canvasbacks closed until Jan. 7. Limits -- 3 ducks per day, which may include no more than 1 mallard hen, 1 pintail, 2 wood ducks, 1 redhead, 1 fulvous tree duck, 1 mottled duck and 1 black duck and 1 canvasback (when in season).
Through Jan. 14: Hunting season for quail west of I-83, I-695 and I-95, excluding Garrett and Allegany counties. Limit 6 per day.
Through Jan. 31: Rabbit season in Garrett and Allegany counties west of Wills Creek. Limit 4 per day.
Through Jan. 31: Hunting season for gray, Eastern fox, red or piney squirrel, all counties. Limit of 6 per day for gray and eastern fox squirrel; no limit for red or piney.
Through Jan. 31: Hunting season for ruffed grouse in all counties except Charles. Limit 2 per day.
Through Feb. 7: Hunting season for eastern cottontail rabbit in all counties except Garrett and Allegany county west of Wills Creek. Bag limit 4.