I know you’ve been holding your horses, resisting Black Friday and Cyber Monday, awaiting my list of hot locally available gifts for the outdoor nuts in your life. As chair of the Gifting in Support of Homey Businesses Subcommittee (under Reecer Creek Rod, Gun, Working Dog & Outdoor Think Tank Benevolent Association bylaws), I’m pleased to pass along hot gifting ideas for the 2016 outdoor nut on your list. (Note that you will find most of these same items and opportunities in most any outdoor-oriented town or city.)
Let’s start with the immediate. The 2016-2017 Light Rifle Class League starts next Thursday at the Valley Rifle and Pistol Club. You may easily join the 16 week program of safe family recreational shooting. Pay one small fee for your entire household, then 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 range master, and great coaching. What better gift could you give your children and family? Learn 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 help you get your household in the game.
At the east end of the valley, Sure Shot Guns & Pawn, in Kittitas, has a wide variety of firearms, ammo and accessories from handguns to youth .22 rifles. A variety of gun safes are available, and they go out the door with no sales tax. Todd and Melody have set up an in-store kiosk to handle the fingerprinting and background checks for purchasers of suppressors – such as the SilencerCo and AAC models which have become so popular. Stripped lowers (for DIY folks) are sought this season, as are gift certificates in any denomination (they always fit). There is never a charge for special orders, which usually arrive in 2-5 days. 509-968-4867 with your questions, or go to www.sureshotguns.com.
Nika Mihailov and his Kittitas County Trading Company crew on Main Street have a good supply of new and used handguns, along with accessories for concealed carry. As has been true for several years, the AR 15 type rifles and accessories are in-demand gifts, along with a wide variety of ammo for handguns, rifles and shotguns, including a good supply of .22 ammo. Nika is still paying top cash for gold and silver (check your old or broken jewelry) – a good way to start shopping with a pocket full of unexpected cash. If you are looking for something in particular, or have a question, call the crew at 509-925-1109.
It would be a superstore most anywhere, but John’s Three Forks Ammo & Reloading happens to be on the main drag in Cle Elum. Everything your gun nut and shooter needs or wants for the holidays, from spotting scopes to sweat shirts, hats and hoodies, is in stock. There may even be a game camera or two still available (many folks use them for home security). No one carries more or better reloading equipment than Three Forks, including the top of the line Forster and Dillon brand equipment and tools. These guys stock more bullets and live ammo in more calibers (plenty of .22) than ever, with more than 1400 choices and case lots in several calibers. If you need it, they probably have it; if not, they will find it. Check it out at www.threeforksreloading.com or 509-674-2295.
In the middle of it all is Mike and his crew at Bi-Mart, and their renewed efforts to carry what you want most. From stocking stuffers to under-the-tree gifts, start with .22 ammo in good supply and work your way up to great prices on rifles and shotguns. This season, any purchase of a Ruger 10/22 rifle comes with a free 10-round magazine. As always there is a good array of styles and models of Crossman air rifles for boys, girls and adults, and youth compound bow kits. The outdoor desk has the new Outdoor Edge Razor-Lite EDC knives, a variety of others and the great Workshop Knife Sharpener system. You’ll find shotgun shells (including steel shot), waterfowl decoys, insulated camo clothing and some very attractive – and practical – wooden ammo boxes, too. Stocking stuffers like flashlights, headlamps and keychain lights always have a place. 509-925-6971 will get you to one of the Bi-Mart sporting goods pros.
If one or another of the women in your family is receiving a handgun, make that holiday gift complete with a safe shooting and handling class just for her. Contact Marilyn Mason at 509-962-3002.
Naturally, 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 Jerrol’s or visit www.insidetheoutdoors.com.
Buy in Paradise. You’ll find virtually everything your outdoor nut needs close at hand.
If you have an itch to explore abroad, however, allow me to toss in a recent out-of-state discovery for serious hikers and campers. Enlightened Equipment, in Minnesota, is a new company with extremely light gear and sleeping bags (their “quilts”), along with a variety if tricky-to-find accessories. You choose the weight of fill and temperature range for yours, and a custom feature or two, and your quilt will likely weigh less than a pound and a half. Check out www.enlightenedequipment.com.
Happy gifting…
