What do you buy an outdoors lover for Christmas? Here are a few things to consider

Now that we’re into the heart of the Christmas shopping season, did you find something for that person on your list who enjoys the outdoors?

If not, I’ve spent a little time trying to find ideas that make sense for that special hunter or angler in your life.

For many outdoor activities, the quality of your gear determines how well you will enjoy the day. If you’re passionate about fishing and hunting, you have specific tastes in your gear.

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From the length of your fishing pole or type of reel, to the caliber of gun and style of bullets that you choose to take to the woods on the first day of deer season, it can be difficult to buy exactly what that person needs. With so many camo patterns out there, it can also be a challenge to pick the brand of camo that works for the spring turkey season or the December season that your hunter wants.

Fortunately, there are many ways you can make your outdoorsman or woman smile with a gift that are almost one-size-fits-all.

If you’re not sure what they want, go to the sport shop that is close to your home. Locally owned sport shops have people who are knowledgable about what makes sense for fishing and hunting gear in the region where you live.

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Getting a gift card from one of these places is a golden idea for your favorite sportsman. In January a visit to the sport shop is a great way to think about better weather. It also gives the store owners more time to build up their inventories from the busy fall shopping season. The new line of bows and crossbows are just coming out and hopefully the strain on the nation’s supply chain will soon start to ease up.

If you need stocking stuffers, disposable hand warmers are a gift that just about anyone can use. These air-activated hand warmers last up to 10 hours and are great for hunting, fishing, sled riding, going to a football game or just to have in your car for an unexpected situation.

In many parts of Pennsylvania, winter can be too severe on some days to enjoy being outside. Getting a gift certificate to an indoor shooting range for pistols or archery is a fun way for the family to spend a cold day honing their shooting skills.

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Thinking ahead to better weather, there are sporting clays centers across the state that offer gift certificates. Who doesn’t want to shoot more? It’s a one-size-fits-most gift that allows several hunters to ride in a cart or walk along the course for a fun day afield trying to shoot small clay targets.

Another unique gift that a fisherman can appreciate is a gift voucher to huntfishpa.gov to renew their license. Unless they have a senior lifetime license, it’s probably something they will need to buy this year. The website is an online venue for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

In addition to the licenses, there are magazines, guide books, cook books, fine art wildlife paintings, hats and patches that are unique gifts to consider.

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A more personalized gift to think about is framing a photo from one of this year’s best adventures outdoors. Did they catch a trophy fish or get that nice buck? There are many custom frames available online that have fishing, hunting and camping themes. Having a photo framed of that special day should cost less than $30, but bring years of appreciation when they reflect on that memory.

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While hunting for deer and catching a large walleye should be a challenge, getting a gift for that outdoors person should not. If you have other gift ideas you would like to share, let me know.

Merry Christmas — and may all your gifts be something fun you can use outdoors.

Brian Whipkey is the outdoor columnist for USA Today Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Outdoors Newsletter email on your website's homepage under your login name.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Hunting for the right gift? Here’s what to consider for the outdoors