The holidays are here, and that means finding a good gift for the land lover in your life. This could be a family member or friend, but we’ve curated this list also keeping in mind the landowner who deserves that thank-you gift for allowing you access year after year to prime hunting.
Nothing says thank you like a hickory smoked ham (look to the storied best at Benton’s to fill that order), but here are some other land-centric gift options.
Give the gift of LAND
This is low-hanging fruit, but it’s true: landowners love to read about land, and a subscription to LAND magazine offers the best eye candy for daydreaming about property acquisitions in their future. We’ll be entirely democratic and suggest a subscription to your favorite sporting magazine, too. Why not spoil your loved ones with a great mix of land offerings and lifestyle pursuits to which to aspire in 2017?
Memberships with benefits
Conservation organization memberships and swag. Land lovers appreciate the conservation efforts of groups like Pheasants/Quail Forever, Quality Deer Management Association, Ducks Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and others. Organizations often offer gift memberships, but you can also put together a gift basket with member swag to present your gift.
Pour a spirited classic
Stanley products pass between generations, like the land itself. Try a flask for a fun spin on this classic gift. The company also offers a range of other durable accessories like their vacuum-sealed flasks to accompany you on all your outdoor forays.
Make it a road trip!
A trip to Dallas Safari Club annual convention. It’s the place to be. Other fun trade shows include iCast, held each year in Florida, and the National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic.
Going Dutch
The Dutch oven might be the perennial sportsman’s gift suggestion, but for good reason: while it might be a bit weighty to pack for camping on public lands, one joy of private land ownership is establishing an outdoor firepit or grill, and Dutch oven cooking is integral to the great tradition of outdoor cookery. For family members—or the extravagant—commission an outdoor stone fireplace. Carolina Cooker offers plus-sized cast-iron cookers for the full cowboy experience.
Simple safety with style
The hunting safety band sold by Kevin’s is an affordable, nice gesture of a gift for the landowner who loves to scout the land.
The simple band protects by increasing visibility while slipping onto a favorite hat … So you’re not hat-shopping, just offering a fashion-forward safety update for long days in the woods.
Make a state-ment
For the landowner who has everything, a state-shaped cutting board by American Heirloom is a fun gift that will offer regional flavor to their hunt club, cabin retreat or home kitchen. Each state-shaped cutting board is made to order, and includes a heart, house, or star icon on the city or place of your choice. Fun fact: the company even offers a Hawaiian board, which comes in several pieces.
Home for the holidays—and by the fire
From hearthside wood racks to stovetop steamers and log carriers, look to L.L. Bean for a crash course in traditional outdoors style. The Portland, Maine, institution offers a range of classic fireside accessories. For a handcrafted touch likely to wind up family heirloom, check out Brent Dohn’s Wildlife Workshop multipurpose fire tool.
A swing for all ages
No idyllic landscape is complete without a tree swing. Surprise your landowner by hanging one you’ve made yourself, choose a classic ready-made design, or get innovative with popular designs like the American made Swurfer.
A touch of class
Think timeless style from England. William Evans has curated soft furnishings from vintage makers like Hines of Oxford Furnishings, with a range of sporting style-setters that include footstools, cushions and umbrella stands.