Written By John VanDerLaan
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Many think hunters are hard people to find gifts for, but at Deer Hunting Guide, we think it's quite the opposite. There's inevitably a piece of gear your hunter doesn't have, something that will take their hunt to the next level. Plus, hunting opens up other hobbies like wildlife management and cooking, giving you even more options. Here are a full 35 of them, most ideally stocking stuffers—small and under $50—though we've included a few big-ticket items as well.
RELATED: Best Gifts For Hunters
Darn Tough Wool Hunting Socks - Under $40
This is one of those times you want to get socks in your stocking. Since hunters spend so much time sitting still, their feet get cold easily. In other words, the hunter in your life will be thrilled if Santa brings them a thick Merino wool sock.
Merino wool, aside from being warm, has several other features that make it ideal for hunters. First of all, it keeps working to insulate even when it's wet. We like these socks for wearing with waders for duck hunting, for example, but they're great for deer hunting too. The deer hunting season is wet in most parts of the country, so you can muck through mud no problem. Merino wool also cuts down on odor by wicking away moisture and naturally neutralizing scent.
These socks from Darn Tough are over-the-calf length, so they should fully insulate the foot within a boot. We love the extra heavy loop construction since it's tough and can handle hiking through the woods over multiple seasons.
They are still made in Vermont with wool from their family owned mill.
Click here to see all of the hunting socks we have tested and reviewed.
Personalized Buck 110 Folding Knife - Under $100
Every hunter we know—us included, hint hint—is always looking for their next knife. More than a tool, a hunter's knife is an extension of his primal self and a symbol of his experience. As a hunter learns the craft, he learns what knife works best and comes to find one he prizes and trusts.
We promise, a knife is always a good gift for a hunter, and the Buck 110 is a top choice. The ebony and brass handle has a striking but sophisticated look, and it comes with a black leather sheath.
As for functionality, it has a S30V steel blade that's heat treated to stay sharp longer. The curve of the blade makes cutting smooth, so it's a powerful and versatile accessory for hunters of all types.
Click here for our full review of the Buck 110 Folding Hunter knife.
Zippo Heatbank Rechargeable Hand Warmers - Under $50
Heatbanks and hand warmers have always been go-tos for hunter gifts. It's something small that you can stuff in a stocking, but it's one of the most useful yet simple tools for a hunter. Deer hunting involves cold weather and little movement, so you need outside sources of warmth.
This heatbank in particular is extra useful because it doubles as a power bank. You can charge two different devices from it at once via USB cables, so you can have your smartphone ready to go at all times. It even has an integrated flashlight, so it cuts down on all the heavy accessories you have to carry around.
If you're just using it for warmth, it lasts up to nine hours and has six heat settings up to 120 degrees. One thing we really like is the ergonomic grip and dual heating surfaces. As a gift, it will even help the hunter in your life be more successful since warm, agile fingers are essential for an accurate shot.
HotHands Hand Warmers - Under $30
HotHands are the standard when it comes to hand warmers. Trust us when we say the hunter in your life will recognize and appreciate them immediately. They're disposable and lightweight and less expensive than a rechargeable hand warmer like the Zippo heat bank. After all, this pack includes 40 pairs for under $30.
If your hunter isn't familiar with HotHands, let them know they can fit them in their gloves, pockets, just about anywhere, and get up to 10 hours of warmth without any added bulkiness or discomfort. They're easy to use. Just shake them to activate the heat.
Hunter Orange Safety Vest - Under $40
A blaze orange safety vest is the perfect gift for a hunter, and we'll tell you why. It isn't just practical, but it shows you really care about them—the most important aspect of a gift, in our opinion.
Okay, so this safety vest from Gamehide because it will protect them from errant shots from other hunters, but rest assured it is practical as well. This is especially true for duck or upland bird hunting because it has shell holders.
It's a good choice for deer hunters too, though, especially if they hunt various types of game. The large cargo pockets are nice for carrying accessories like rangefinders, hand warmers and even smartphones.
Folding Saw - Under $25
The folding saw is the too-often-overlooked cousin to the hunting knife. While a knife is obviously a great gift, your hunter may sometimes need the power of a serrated blade. For example, they might need to cut down brush around their ground blind, or they may even have to saw through bone when field dressing a kill.
We like the folding saw from Outdoor Edge because it's affordable but versatile, making it an ideal stocking stuffer. The diamond-cut blade is more than capable of cutting through wood and bone, but it's compact and lightweight with a built-in clip for easy carrying. It doesn't just serve for hunting but camping and landscaping as well.
Gerbing Heated Wool Socks - Under $200
Wool socks and heat pads make great stocking stuffers… but why not just combine them? Heated wool socks are ideal for hunters that hunt the late season in cold climates. They provide more consistent and comfortable heat to the entire foot, which is also very helpful if your hunter still hunts (counterintuitively, hunting while moving around) or does a lot of hiking while hunting. They'll need their feet agile and ready to move.
If you like this gift idea, we recommend the Gerbing model. It has three different heat modes, which lets the hunter calibrate to a comfortable temperature with overheating and causing sweating, which could create odor and scare away game.
The microwire design is also really comfortable. We prefer it to other designs that can feel a bit awkward when you're walking.
Click here to see all of the heated hunting socks that we have tested and reviewed.
Not a hunter yourself? It can be hard to navigate all the various accessories hunters use, much less those they already have, alternatives they have, etc. Make things easy on yourself and them and just get them a gift card. It's still more thoughtful than cash since it shows you know they love hunting and will appreciate the ability to get the gear they want or need.
Since the merger of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, there's arguably no better one-stop shop for hunters. Just about anything they could want for hunting is there, and they may even find something they didn't realize they needed.
SITKA Core Lightweight Balaclava - Under $50
A novice hunting mistake is going it without the right headgear. The next stage is just wearing any old beanie or the hood of your jacket which doesn't keep you warm enough or provide extra hunting features. You can help the hunter in your life take it to the next level with a dedicated hunting balaclava. That means features like:
- Full coverage
- Camo
- Waterproofing
- Extra warmth and insulation
For that, we recommend the SITKA Core Lightweight Balaclava. It's made to be comfortable and well fitting while keeping the hunter warm without overheating. The balaclava can be rolled up to work as a hat, so if they start to feel too warm, they can fold it up to let off excess heat. The best part, though, is definitely the Gore-Tex waterproof layer combined with the warm and soft inner Berber fleece.
Sitka Gear is one of our favorite hunting clothing brands on the market today.
PepperMate Pepper Mill - Under $40
At Deer Hunting Guide, one of the reasons we love hunting so much is that it leads to so many enjoyable peripheral hobbies. For instance, most hunters eventually become master butchers, chefs and grillers, learning how to cook venison in the most delectable ways for family and friends. Consequently, meat-cooking items make great stocking stuffers for hunters.
A pepper mill is a good choice in particular because it's inexpensive and often overlooked but a simple item that adds flavor and fun to grilling. Pepper slowly loses its flavor after the corns are ground, so freshly grinding it gives a gourmet edge to whatever you're cooking. This is true for other spices too like cumin and coriander and even salt.
As a stocking stuffer, the PepperMate Pepper Mill is our go-to because it's small and compact, inexpensive, and super easy to use. Our favorite feature is the adjustable grinder that lets you change how fine the grounds are. You can get large salt chunks for steaks or fine pepper for marinating.
Get your hunter the PepperMate Pepper Mill to use while perfecting his next recipe.
Turkey Call - Under $50
Deer hunting season is wrapping up by the time Christmas comes around, but there's still the spring turkey season to come. If the hunter in your life is a bit down about the end of the deer season, perk them up with turkey gear.
A turkey call specifically is always a good choice and sure to provoke a smile on Christmas morning as they try it out. A call greatly improves their chances of taking a gobbler, and it's also fun to use in the field and practice with.
This Primos set is a complete starter pack for new turkey hunters or those who haven't used calls before. There's a mouth call, a wooden striker, a slate call and a box call. The box call is easy to use and mimics a male turkey's gobble while the others can mimic other turkey sounds to lure in quarries.
Deer Call - Under $30
A deer call is a good gift not only because it works well in the field but because it takes some practice and is therefore a fun activity that adds to the hobby of hunting. Aside from learning their way around the call itself, the hunter in your life can use trial and error while hunting to figure out which calls work best to bring in mature bucks.
The Extinguisher deer call is really cool because it comes with a free mobile app. The app has educational resources to engage the hunter so they can learn about deer sounds and how to call deer successfully, always a rewarding experience. Plus, the call itself is adjustable to mimic various types of deer and has an antifreeze design, so it continues to work in cold weather.
Duck Call - Under $50
Aside from their practicality, duck calls have an artful and romantic nature about them. Finding a beautifully crafted one that fits the personality of the hunter in your life really expresses that you care for them and took the time to find the perfect gift. It can even become a family heirloom passed down for generations.
Since duck season is in the fall, a duck call has the added benefit of providing your hunter with something to do all year: practice. Duck calls are fun to learn and play with.
Check out the Jase Robertson Pro Series of duck calls. There are numerous designs, so you can find one that matches your hunter's tastes. Regardless of the style, the call is easy to use with a range of vocalizations for versatile duck hunting, and it is Uncle Si approved!
Binocular Harness - Under $200
Even if the hunter in your life already has a good pair of binoculars, they could probably use a harness for it, especially if they like to do a lot of scouting. Any hunter will tell you that binoculars are expensive, and keeping them safe is a good investment.
Our suggestion in this case is the Badlands Bino XR model. It has an easy-to-use harness and room for a rangefinder and other accessories as well. It has a zipperless magnetic seal, so the hunter can remove the binoculars quietly, but it's still watertight in case the weather turns bad.
Click here to see all of the binocular harnesses that we have tested and reviewed.
SPOT HOGG Wiseguy Archery Release - Under $200
If you're not hunting-savvy yourself, a bow release is a good choice that doesn't require you to know too much about what you're shopping for. (Just be sure your hunter uses a compound bow!) A lot of hunters use multiple releases and like to try different types, so they'll probably appreciate it.
The Spot-Hogg Wiseguy is a smart move because it's micro-adjustable. If you aren't entirely sure the kind of release your hunter needs, this one is likely to fit.
Click here to see all of the bow releases that we have tested and reviewed.
ALPS OutdoorZ Deluxe Hand Warmer - Under $50
Here's another hand-warming option that can actually be combined with some of the others on this list. Basically, this is a fanny pack that you can stick your hands in on the sides to keep warm thanks to a fleece liner. Plus, you can store gear in it and add disposable or rechargeable hand warmers for extra warmth. There's even a plastic water-resistant pocket and shell holders.
A pretty inexpensive gift for all that.
ScentCrusher Ozone Go Max - Under $50
You're probably thinking, "Wait a minute. I need a stocking stuffer for a hunter, not a car guy." Well, scent control is essential to hunting and arguably the most difficult thing to do right. Deer smell incredibly well, and even a small amount of human odor will scare them off.
At Deer Hunting Guide, we've found that one of the best ways to clean your hunting gear and remove human odor is actually with an ozone car cleaner. The ozone chemically reacts with odor particles and kills bacteria that produce odor.
The Ozone Go Max from ScentCrusher is a surprising but useful gift for the hunter in your life. It's something they may not have ever thought of but that will significantly improve their hunting success. Oh, and they can use it in the car too.
Hunting Headlamp - Under $150
A headlamp is basic piece of equipment. A hunter definitely needs one if they're going to hike through the woods and climb up into their tree stand without having to hold a flashlight.
If your hunter needs a new headlamp, we definitely recommend the MH11 from Ledlenser. What's great about it is that it's rechargeable, so you don't have to worry about replacing batteries, and lasts up to 120 hours on a single charge.
Additionally, the brightness is adjustable with a beam from 20 to 150 meters. That's important because you don't want to give off too much light before the hunt and scare off game. But later you might want more for tracking a blood trail.
Here is my video review of the Ledlenser MH11.
Leather Hunting Journal - Under $50
The staff at Deer Hunting Guide love journaling our hunts, and we think it's a much underrated activity. Most other outdoor activities, from bird watching to scuba diving, utilize logs, so why not hunting? It's not only helpful to record the circumstances of your past hunts to recognize important patterns to take advantage of, but it's also a fun way to review the hunts in your memory.
We like this journal from Rustico because it has a full 96 pages with pre-templated info like the weather, wind and moon cycle in addition to the game observed and harvested. Plus, the deep brown leather style is very appropriate for hunters.
Sitka Fanatic Whitetail Hunting Gloves - Under $40
Gloves are typical stocking stuffers for hunters and non-hunters alike. However, the hunter in your life will certainly enjoy hunting-specific features on their gloves like camo, weather-proofing and extra warmth.
That's why we've included the Sitka Fanatics on our list. For Sitka gear, which is known for its high quality in the hunting world, they're fairly inexpensive. Plus, they go all out when it comes to features and even have half fingers on the thumb and index finger. This does more than just allow them to use their phone. It's necessary for accurately shooting a bow.
Click here to see our comparison of Kuiu Gear vs Sitka Gear.
Rage Broadheads - Under $50
Broadheads are another one of those perfect stocking stuffers for a bowhunter because you don't need to know what they already have. They always need broadheads. These arrowheads are precious and wear out relatively quickly. Often, they're single use, so even if they already have some, a backup set is great.
If you're not a hunter yourself, take it from us that the Rage Hypodermics are some of the most famous and sought-after broadheads out there. They're mechanical, which means the blades retract until the arrowhead strikes the target, after which they spring out. They also have a steel ferrule that helps with penetration for large game like year.
Click here for our roundup of the best broadheads for deer hunting.
Walker’s Shooters Ear Muffs - Under $75
Any rifle hunter needs ear muffs, but you can open a whole new world to the hunter in your life by getting electronic ear muffs. That is, ear muffs that block high-decibel sounds like gunshots but allow normal noises like conversation to pass through. With electronic ear muffs, you can still rifle hunt in a group. Our suggestion? Get a pair for a parent-child hunting duo.
We recommend these Walker's ear muffs in particular because they're designed with gun shooting in mind. They have a beige color that's ideal for matching hunting camo, and they're comfortable for long periods.
Wind Checker From Dead Down Wind - Under $10
Wind checker is an inexpensive gift that the hunter in your life likely hasn't used and that can add some extra strategy to their hunt. Basically, you squeeze it into the air and it shows you the direction that the wind carries small particles and how far it carries them. You can use this to judge how far the wind will take your odor particles and adjust your hunting location accordingly.
Learn to hunt the wind and you will see your success increase exponentially.
Streamlight MicroStream Rechargeable Flashlight - Under $40
A flashlight is an important piece of kit for a hunter, especially if they do any herd management and need to explore unknown areas of the woods in the dark. It complements a good headlamp.
These days you can get a rechargeable flashlight like the Streamlight model. You can have to worry about batteries, just plug it in to get up to 3.5 hours of light. It also has a decent amount of water and impact resistance, making it great for outdoor use.
Titan Waterproof Matches - Under $20
Waterproof matches are a versatile gift. Even if your hunter doesn't hike three days out into the wilderness, it's an important part of emergency preparedness and shows you want to keep them safe. On the other hand, if they take hunting to the extreme or have been wanting to, waterproof matches can facilitate multi-day hunts in rough, remote environments.
We've picked Titan matches because the 12 of them come in a nice, compact waterproof case with a striker on the side. In fact, the case even floats. It's easy to include it down in a rucksack with other wilderness-survival gear.
SmartWool Balaclava - Under $50
In most of the country, what's left of the deer hunting season starts to get bitterly cold around Christmas. A simple beanie may not cut it anymore, and anyone who wants to continue hunting needs full-face warmth, like that provided by a balaclava.
This SmartWool balaclava made of Merino wool does the trick like no other, and your hunter will surely appreciate having their season extended when they find it in the toe of their stocking. This type of wool keeps you warm without overheating and has the added benefit of wicking away moisture to cut down on scent and discomfort.
Scent Eliminator Spray - Under $20
Deer can smell even better than dogs, so any deer hunter needs as much scent killer as they can get. In other words, they're almost certainly going to like scent eliminator spray as a gift.
Wildlife Research Center makes a lot of great products because they put a lot of effort into testing their formulas. The Super Charged line is one of our favorites. It basically reacts at a microscopic level to neutralize odor particles, and it works for several days at a time.
Lighted Nocks For Arrows - Under $30
In case you're not bow savvy, the nock is the part of the arrow that hooks onto the bow string. A lighted nock, then, is one that lights up when you shoot it. There are a few benefits of this:
- You can see where the arrow hits the animal, so you know how long to wait before tracking it. (If you start tracking a gut-shot deer too soon, it will run farther, for example.)
- If you miss the animal, you can find the arrow more easily in the brush and potentially reuse it.
- If you have to track your kill, the lighted nock makes it easier to find in the dim light.
- It helps you better visualize your arrow trajectory to fine tune your aim for the future.
Our choice? These nocks from Nockturnal come in either green or red and last around 20 hours, plenty for tracking an animal or finding the arrow. They're straightforward and easy to install on hunting arrows.
Sitka Gear Dewpoint Packable Rain Jacket - Top-shelf price
If you're wanting to get the hunter in your life a big gift this year, you can't go wrong with Sitka gear. Sitka has become a leader in the hunting world and renowned for their clothing made specifically with hunters in mind.
The Dew Point jacket is an excellent gift if you're in a climate with a lot of rain and snow during hunting season. It provides a waterproof outer layer that's lightweight and can easily be packed down into a rucksack when not needed. At the same time, it's available in five camo options for calibration to the environment.
Here is my video comparing the Dewpoint rain jacket to some of my other favorites.
Coffee Mug - Under $20
If you need an inexpensive gift for a hunter but don't know much about the sport and they already seem to have all the equipment, a novelty mug is always a safe bet. It's simple and useful, but it shows you know them and their interests. This Burton mug in particular is clever and a bit humorous while still in a classic style that's likely to appeal to a hunter.
A scent elimination pack is the perfect gift for a beginner hunter or someone who's expressed interest in hunting. Many new hunters underestimate just how important scent elimination is, so getting everything they need in that regard in one pack starts them off on the right foot. This pack from Dead Down Wind definitely covers just about every aspect of scent control and includes laundry detergent, scent-killer spray, soap and even lip balm.
A book is another go-to for the hunter who already has all the gear they need. At Deer Hunting Guide, we're all fans of Charles J. Alsheimer's Strategies for Whitetails and feel that it helps us think outside the box when hunting. Plus, the photography is enjoyable to flip through on a snowy Christmas morning.
Stanley Classic Thermos - Under $30
It might seem like a small thing, but taking a warm drink is actually an important safety measure when hunting in cold weather. The issue is… how do you keep it warm over a hunt that lasts several hours?
The vacuum technology used in this insulated Stanley steel thermos can keep a drink warm for up to 24 hours, no kidding. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate or just hot water, you can help the hunter in your life keep their core temperature up.
Ammo Holder - Under $20
An ammo holder is a convenient accessory that your hunter is likely to appreciate but unlikely to have thought of for themselves. For example, this Mossy Oak ammo holder put up to nine rounds right on the butt of their rifle, right at their fingertips.
Yeti Rambler Mug - Under $40
Like a thermos, a Yeti mug is a way for a hunter to take warm liquids with them into the field to keep their core temperature up. We had to include the Yeti mug specifically, not just because its vacuum insulation keeps drinks warm for up to 10 hours, but because you have 22 color options to personalize the gift.
How We Choose Hunting Stocking Stuffer Gifts
We chose our list of stocking stuffers for hunters by, well, finding things we would want to get in our stockings. Of course, since we're staffed by a range of hunters, there's a lot that we already have, so we've created a diverse list of things that includes gifts that are essential gear for new hunters as well as niche kit for the more experienced.
Even for the hunter that has all the gear they could wish for, we've made sure to include some novelty items that we as hunters would enjoy. At the end of the day, the purpose of a gift is to show the recipient that you care about them and support their interests. We've chosen gifts that do that for hunters.
