Note that this column is focused on gifts available in the Kittitas Valley of Washington, as is my custom. Note, also, however, that these are great gift ideas no matter where you might find yourself for this Christmas Season. Whatever you do, celebrate your outdoor heritage!
I know you’ve been tightly clutching your cash and cards, resisting all that Black Friday and Cyber Monday hype, 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 2018 outdoor nut on your list.
Let’s start with the immediate. The 2018-2019 Light Rifle Class League starts is underway at the Valley Rifle and Pistol Club, but you may still 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, Kittitas’ Sure Shot Guns & Pawn has a wide variety of firearms and accessories from handguns and suppressors to youth .22 rifles. A good supply of bulk .223 and 9mm ammo is available at special prices. A variety of gun safes are available, and they go out the door with no sales tax. Todd and Melody and crew have an easy quick set up to handle background checks for purchasers of firearms, and other restricted items. Stripped lowers (for DIY folks) are readily available 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. Sure Shot offers a full line of Badland clothing and packs. 509-968-4867 with your questions, or go to www.sureshotguns.com.
Nika Mihailov and his Kittitas County Trading Company crew on Main Street in Ellensburg have an excellent supply of new and used handguns and long guns, including a just-acquired estate collection of unusual and rare pre-war handguns. The Trading Company is about the only place in the region with a selection of M-1 Garands and other military surplus items. The AR 15 type rifles and accessories are in-demand gifts, as are concealed-carry accessories. The store carries a wide variety of ammo for handguns, rifles and shotguns (including .22 ammo). Nika is still paying top dollar 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 Three Forks Ammo & Reloading happens to be on the main drag in Cle Elum. John and Chris have most every reloading item your shooter’s needs or wants for the holidays, and a variety of gift ideas among the 10,000 items in the store. No one carries more or better reloading equipment than Three Forks, including the top of the line Forster and Dillon brand equipment and tools. The popular Hornady Lock-n-Load Classic Reloading Kit is only $219 (including a 500 free bullet rebate). The guys always offer free individual reloading classes, on demand. The store holds more bullets and live ammo in more calibers (plenty of .22) than ever; more than 1400 choices and case lots in several calibers – many at special prices. There are several game cameras in stock (commonly used for home security these days). From 200-round WWII commemorative .45 ammo boxes to stocking stuffers, if you need it, they probably have it or will find it. Go to www.threeforksreloading.com or call 509-674-2295.
In the middle of it all are Bi-Mart pros Mike and Ron, and their determination 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, trigger locks are in demand as are the Ruger 10/22 rifles and the take-down Ruger carbines. Anything that says 6.5 Creedmoor – from bullets to rifles – is hot. As always, there are several styles of ammo boxes, smokers and gun safes in store. The outdoor desk has new knives and sharpening systems, along with shotshells and stocking stuffers like flashlights, headlamps and keychain lights. Interestingly, as salmon have become less available, fishing gear for bass, walleye and kokanee has become very popular. 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 one-day safe shooting and handling class just for her. Contact Marilyn Mason at 509-962-3002.
Maybe an adult fishing and/or hunting licenses fits for your sportsman or woman. There are options to fit your outdoor nut in a variety of prices. (You will need Wild ID number, date of birth and account password at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/ to purchase the licenses.) The proof of purchase for most any of these will fit nicely in a discreet envelope under the tree.
Buy in Paradise. You’ll find virtually everything your outdoor nut needs close at hand.
Happy gifting and Merry Christmas…
