By Michael Newell

Nearly everyone has an outdoor type on their holiday list.

Over the years my wife has struggled with just what gadget or gizmo I really need to add to my hunting or fishing stock. So I began to make a list, just like when I was a kid, to give her a little help.

Research for my list begins earlier each year. Christmas catalogs from big outdoor companies now arrive before the nights have started to cool off. So lots of study, internet searches and trips to the local hunting and fishing shop are the means by which I compile my list.
If you are struggling to find that perfect gift, then perhaps my list can help you find it.
The Big Gifts

1. If your gift lister does not already have one, then the give the gift that literally keeps on giving. I’m talking about a Texas or Oklahoma Lifetime Hunting or Fishing license. This is guaranteed to make anyone who really loves to hunt or fish very, very happy.
The cost may sound a little expensive, for Texas, a Lifetime Resident Hunting License and Lifetime Resident Fishing License costs $1,000, and the Texas Lifetime Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing License will cost $1,800. For Oklahoma, $625 for the hunting, $225 for the fishing and $775 for the combination, but it is well worth it. If a hunter has the lifetime license, they are exempt from essentially everything but the Federal Waterfowl Stamp and a trapping license (if they duck hunt or trap). Add all the things that are included, and the license could pay for itself in just a few years.

If you want to purchase a lifetime license, start early; it takes a couple of weeks to get the license. You need to somehow get a copy of the person’s driver’s license and Hunter Education Card, (for those under 16 years old a school report card can take the place of the driver’s license) and take it to one of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Offices or visit Texas Parks & Wildlife website at www.tpwd.texas.gov.
County game wardens can also approve the application, so for rural residents, this might be easier. For more information, locations and phone numbers of ODWC offices and county game wardens, go to the department’s website www.wildlifedepartment.com or visit Texas Parks & Wildlife’s website, www.tpwd.texas.gov.

2. While most gifts need to be specialized for the pursuit that the outdoor person prefers, one gift that all outdoor types will enjoy is a really good multi-tool. I prefer the Leatherman tools like the new Coyote Signal model ($109). This is a beefier version of the old Leatherman tool and features 19 tools including needle nose pliers, a 420 stainless steel main blade, wire strippers, serrated edge knife, saw, hammer, ferro rod fire starter, an emergency whistle and much more. While that might seem a little steep for a knife/tool, you really do get what you pay for, so this will be money well spent.

To read more pick up a copy of the December 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.