I know you’ve been holding off – waiting for my list of locally available hot gifts for the outdoor nuts in your life. In response to that need, and in keeping with my role as chair of the Gifting in Support of Homey Businesses Subcommittee (under Reecer Creek Rod, Gun, Working Dog & Outdoor Think Tank Benevolent Association bylaws), please find herewith the hot gifts for the 2015 outdoor nut on your list.
This list is focused on Paradise – Kittitas County, Washington – but the gifts will be found in almost every small town with an outdoor sports store. Here’s to gifting outdoor nuts everywhere!
Start with the immediate. The 2015-2016 Light Rifle Class League just started at Valley Rifle and Pistol Club. 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 range master and 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 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. Todd and Melody have kids’ Keystone Cricket youth .22 rifles in boy/girl camo and colors, and several other colors of firearms. Take a look at the striking Sig Sauer Exclusive .380 handguns with white frames and colored grips. Suppressors and stripped lowers (for DIY fans) are hot this season, as are gift certificates in any denomination (they always fit). 509-968-4867 with your questions, or go to www.sureshotguns.com.
Nika Mihailov and his Kittitas County Trading Company crew on Main Street are seeing continuing strong interest in new and used handguns, although they have closed their shooting range. Concealed carry handguns and accessories of all kinds are headed for Santa’s bag. As has been true over the last few years, the AR 15 type rifles and accessories are hot gifts, along with a wide variety of ammo for handguns, rifles and shotguns. There is an upsurge of local interest in waterfowl, and boxes of the proper shotshells are headed for stockings. High quality knives – particularly pocket knives – have been in demand. Nika is again 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 may be in Cle Elum, but John’s Three Forks Ammo & Reloading would be a superstore anywhere, especially after the recent expansion. Everything your gun nut and shooter needs or wants for the holidays, from spotting scopes to gun safes, and those game cameras that many folks are using 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 and variety 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 Bi-Mart. From stocking stuffers to under-the-tree gifts, start with .22 ammo in good supply and work your way up to great prices of rifles and shotguns. In between, you will find a wide array of styles and models of Crossman air rifles for boys, girls and adults, along with the remarkable Workshop Knife Sharpener system and a great selection of knives, knife kits and multi-tools. You’ll also find shotgun shells (including steel shot), waterfowl decoys, insulated camo clothing and the decorative 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.
Brothers n Arms, at www.eburgguns.com and 509-933-4867, carries a full line of firearms and accessories, including some rather hard to find items. They can put together most any firearm you need. Their comprehensive regular class schedule for firearms handling, safety and shooting encompasses old hands, beginners, couples, women, and the Zero Shots Fired 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 509-962-3002 or Brothers n Arms.
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.
Happy gifting…
