Last-minute Christmas shopping is at hand

Life in the Columbia Basin is full of opportunities for outdoor adventures. Fishing, bird watching, camping, outdoor cooking, hunting, wildlife viewing all are possible and most of these undertakings can be accomplished during the same trip.

We have covered many Christmas gift ideas during the past three columns. At this time we are down to the last-minute shopper. Now this shopper may have planned well for the holiday season and be up to date on all shopping. Everyone on the list has a gift purchased and wrapped.

Out of the blue, neighbor Joe or friend Sam stops by with a gift. The shopper doesn't usually exchange gifts with this person. However the obligation to do so is now apparent.

Because Joe and Sam are outdoor-minded people, the last minute purchase is a snap. My first inclination is to go back to the basic pocket knife. There may not be time to have a message engraved or etched on the blade, but the knife alone will make a great gift.

Along with being blessed with numerous outdoor activities, we are fortunate to have a great assortment of sporting goods stores to shop. Most participants in the endeavors listed above would be thrilled to have a Dutch oven to assist in camp cooking. If they already have one, try a smallish one. The normal trend is to start with a 12-inch oven, but a 10-inch or an 8-inch would be welcome.

Garnet and I do well with the smaller ovens when cooking for just the two of us, but still use a 12-incher when cooking for more people. Remember, a Dutch oven, even the ones with the legs, can be used in the oven at home. Simply put it on a cookie sheet and then in the oven. Of course, they don't work so well on top of an electric stove element.

Don't forget the Dutch Oven Dome, made by Camp Chef. This tool comes with a heat diffuser, also called a flame tamer, which sits on top of a gas stove burner. The Dutch oven sits on the diffuser and the dome goes over the oven. This allows cooking on a gas camp stove, even when a burn ban is in effect at campgrounds.

A moderately priced fishing rod or reel is a respectable last-minute gift. If this is not deemed to be a reasonable gift, consider a handful of fishing lures, hooks or some other type of tackle.

If the fishing rod is for a youngster, there are a multitude of rod and reel combinations for under $20. This is not a bad idea for a youth under 10 years old. As a first fishing rod, it will serve the angler well. The next rod and reel can be purchased by the person, when they are ready for and responsible enough for one they can save their own money to purchase.

A goose or duck hunter may need more decoys, a layout blind or more ammunition. Local sporting goods stores carry many of these items.

A box of ammunition would make a reasonable gift, if you know the gauge or caliber of the firearm. A box of 12-gauge will be gladly accepted, as will a box of .270 or .22 shells.

An assortment of fishing flies and a few fishing bubbles will make the spin-angler happy. The flies alone will thrill the fly fisherman.

Campers might use a new gas camp stove, gas lantern, a propane tree to attach several appliances or a new tent.

Stocking stuffer ideas include, fishing lures again, a few bottles of propane, tent pegs

The idea is to not panic when faced with last-minute Christmas shopping challenges in the Columbia Basin. Such shopping is a snap with the assortment of outdoor-related goods we have in the Basin.

Here's wishing you the greatest and Merriest Christmas ever.