Last-minute Christmas gifts for outdoor minded people

OK everyone, there are only four more days until Christmas; Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It seems strange to be discussing last-minute gift ideas with so much time. Usually this column is published on the 22 or 23 of December.

No matter the date, there is still time to give any of the gifts we have discussed, from firearms to an outboard motor. These two items will require a bit of special planning.

Scenario: A family member decides she would like a Remington, Model 7400, in .270 as a Christmas gift. This rifle is in the $500 range.

The first thought centers around why didn't other family members know about this sooner? No matter the reason, it is still possible to provide part of this gift.

Take a photo of the rifle from a magazine or the internet and place it in a box. If buying the rifle is the plan, place a check or the cash for the entire cost of the firearm, which can be purchased at a later date.

If paying for the entire amount of the rifle is not possible, add a contribution toward the rifle, $50 or $100 as an example. For some fun, add a few BBs or rocks to the box, which doesn't look as if it contains a rifle, and wrap it. Every time the box is moved it will rattle and drive the person receiving the gift crazy.

Another scenario: A neighbor brings a gift for you to your house. You do not have a gift, yet, for the neighbor. This person enjoys angling, so a fillet knife may be appropriate. It may be impossible to have the knife etched or engraved in so short a time, but the knife will be treasured just the same.

Other last-minute gifts appropriate for this person would include a handful of fishing lures, a flashlight or a thermos either for a beverage or a wide mouth for soup or stew.

Camping gifts

Beginning campers need everything, but established campers require study. A 12-inch Dutch oven might be appropriate for a camping family who has not had the experience of using a Dutch oven for outdoor cooking.

The family who has both a 12- and a 14-inch Dutch might also enjoy having a 10- and/or an 8-inch oven.

Generally speaking, the larger ovens can cook the main dish and the smaller ones can be used to cook side dishes or desserts. This is not always true, depending upon the size of the crowd expecting a meal, of course.

Also, as the size of the family becomes smaller with youth heading to college and establishing a family of their own. A 10- and even the 8-inch oven will hold enough food for my wife, Garnet, and me for lunch of supper.

Another element to the Dutch oven scene is the cooking tool known as the Camp Chef Dutch Oven Dome. This item comes with a head diffuser, known also as a flame tamer. It sits on top of a gas stove burner. The Dutch oven sits on the diffuser and the dome goes over the oven.

Briquettes and other types of coals are not needed when using the Dutch Oven Dome. The diffuser directs the flame of the gas burner from the oven bottom and allows the heat to circulate within the dome. The results are similar to a convection oven.

When fires are prohibited at federal, state and local campgrounds, gas stoves are usually allowed. The Dome allows the use of Dutch ovens even when briquettes and other types of fires are not allowed.

There are a bunch of other accessories to accompany these ovens. These include: Pan scraper, lid holder, carry bag, trivet, lid lifter and digital thermometer.

In the case of the family being reduced from four to two, as explained above; the larger ovens can be maintained in case another family will be joining a couple for a meal. But if the larger ovens are no longer needed, consider them for a gift to the younger family members.

Dutch ovens stand the test of time, if properly maintained, and are suitable to hand down from generation to generation. The same goes for firearms, knives and most other outdoor gear.

Selecting last-minute gifts for the outdoor-minded people in your life is relatively easy.

At this point you have read several ideas, but if you are still at a loss about what to give, take a walk down the aisles of your favorite sporting goods store.

Wishing you many pleasant moments with family and friends during the Christmas holiday.