I know you’ve been holding off a bit, waiting for my list of locally available hot gifts for the outdoor nuts surrounding you. In response to that need, and in keeping with my role as chair of the Gifting in Support of Homey Businesses Subcommittee (in accordance with Reecer Creek Rod, Gun, Working Dog & Outdoor Think Tank Benevolent Association bylaws), please find herewith the hot gifts for the 2013 outdoor nut on your list.
Let’s start with the immediate. The Valley Rifle and Pistol Club just started the 2013-2014 Light Rifle Class League, and you may still be able to join the 16 week program of safe family recreational shooting. One small fee for your entire household, and you bring your little rifle and ammo. The Club will supply regulation 10-bull NRA targets, a modern heated range facility, the direction of a qualified rangemaster and coaching. What better gift for your children and family than learning the responsibility and discipline of safe shooting and firearm handling while enjoying week after week of the simple pleasure of putting holes in paper exactly where you want them. Mel Goudge at 925-4285 or Hal Mason at 962-3002 will get your household in the game.
Nika Mihailov and his Kittitas County Trading Company crew on Main Street are seeing continuing strong interest in new and used handguns. Concealed carry handguns and accessories and shotguns of all brands (mostly pumps) are headed for Santa’s bag. The AK 47 and AR 15 type rifles and accessories are hot gifts again this year, along with a wide variety of ammo for handguns, rifles and shotguns, and exploding Tannerite targets. Bows and arrows and archery accessories are headed for local recipients, along with a variety of high quality new and used knives. Nika is still paying big cash for gold and silver (check your old or broken jewelry)—a good way to start your shopping with a pocket full of unexpected cash. If you are looking for something in particular, or have a question, call the crew at 925-1109.
On the east side of the valley, Sure Shot Guns & Pawn, in Kittitas, has a wide variety of firearms, and accessories for them. Todd and Melody are now handling I Love Guns & Coffee outdoor apparel, mugs and stickers. They have become the regional dealers for Sitka Gear—outdoor clothing and accessories for your lifetime. Stocking stuffers include calls for anything you want to attract, pocket knives and those Tannerite targets. For this season, Todd has a great selection of hard to find ammo. Call 968-4867 with your questions, or go to www.sureshotguns.com.
It may be in little Cle Elum, but John’s Three Forks Ammo & Reloading would be a superstore anywhere. Everything your gun nut and shooter needs or wants for the holidays, from spotting scopes to gun safes, and the game cams we also use for home security. No one carries more or better reloading equipment than Three Forks, including the top of the line Forester and Dillon brand equipment and tools. John has a big selection of exploding targets in all sizes, including the under-20-bucks Star rimfire exploders. These guys stock more bullets and live ammo in more calibers and variety than ever, with case lots of several calibers. If you need it and they don’t have it, they can find it. Check it out at www.threeforksreloading.com/ or 674-2295.
Down the Canyon, Red’s Fly Shop crew has most everything your fly fisher needs. Find hot gift ideas and on-line specials at www.redsflyfishing.com.
In the middle of it all is Bi-Mart. My spies tell me the Ruger 10-22 (and extended magazines for it) and the Remington 870 shotguns remain popular gifts. The Daisy Red Ryder BB gun is a perennial favorite, as well as BB rifles like Crossman’s Pumpmaster, and the airsoft guns. Shotgun shells (including steel shot), waterfowl decoys, insulated camo clothing and the decorative wooden ammo boxes are in demand. Gifters are grabbing knife gift sets and smokers, along with whitefishing gear, and stocking stuffers like flashlights, pocket knives and keychain lights. 925-6971 will get you to one of the Bi-Mart sporting goods pros.
Brothers n Arms, at www.eburgguns.com and 933-4867, carries a full line of firearms, including some rather hard to find items. They also have a comprehensive regular schedule of firearms handling, safety and shooting classes—including the free McGruff Kids Safety Class.
If one or another of the women in your family is receiving a handgun, complete the gift with a safe shooting and handling class just for her. Contact Marilyn Mason at 962-3002.
I always recommend a copy of the updated third printing of Jim Huckabay’s heartwarming “WILD WINDS and Other Tales of Growing Up in the Outdoor West.” For gift or personal copies, drop by the big author party at Jerrol’s—12:00 to 3:00 next Saturday, a week from tomorrow. Buy in Paradise. You’ll find virtually everything your outdoor nut needs close at hand. Happy gifting…
