And don’t forget the camo gift-wrapping
Designer hunting clothing for women, ceramic knives could be just the thing
The key to great gift ideas for those who enjoy the wonderful world of the outdoors is to find items that are useful, innovative and a little out of the ordinary.
In many cases for the outdoor crowd, putting a little thought into the holiday shopping season also means focusing on products made in Texas or the United States.
And if the gifts fulfill the basic needs of the everyday hunter or angler, so much the better.
This is particularly true with items designed specifically for female outdoors enthusiasts, who are making inroads into what is no longer a male-dominated activity.
Here are a few suggestions for potential gifts that just might be the right fit for this holiday season: Women’s wear
Tired of trying to adjust men’s gear and hand-medowns into comfortable outdoor clothing for women, Amber Haynes came out with a highquality upland apparel line just for women called McKenna Quinn.
Based in Boerne and launched in January 2016, Hayes’ company features specially designed shirts, pants and other accessories for women who enjoy hunting game birds, busting clay targets and other outdoor adventures.
“I started the company because I saw a need for clothes that fit women well. If your clothes don’t fit well, you don’t shoot well and can experience unnecessary recoil,” Haynes said.
Her goal has been to design and produce an American-made line of clothing that is rugged enough for women’s outdoor activities, tailored for the special fit and needs of a woman, and is high quality enough for social wear.
“It has been a lot of fun, and I have received a lot of support from women all across the country,” Haynes said. “The denim shooting shirts have been the most popular item because denim goes with everything, but the plaids and camouflage shirts are also selling well.”
The McKenna Quinn line is available online and at stores, including Gordy & Sons Outfitters in Houston.
Additional information is available at shopmckennaquinn.com or by calling 210-844-5050. Goat socks
Born in Texas’ Hill Country and produced on the backs of Angora goats and Merino sheep, Krazy Goat Socks are a made-inthe-USA product custom designed for the feet of outdoor adventurers.
The socks are made of 25-micron kid mohair and 18-micron wool, with the fine fibers allowing for an extremely soft and itchless sock that can wick moisture away quickly to insulate feet from both heat and cold.
Naturally strong and durable, the socks have an added silver technology that enhances the natural antibacterial properties of the wool to help prevent foot odor.
The socks come in a variety of sizes for men and women and retail for $25-$28, depending upon the style.
Additional information is available by calling 325-948-3432 or visiting kristal@krazygoatsocks. com. Ceramic knife
New for 2017 from the innovative minds of Browning, the Speed Load Ceramic knife offers hunters a state-of-theart tool for field dressing, cleaning and various other functions.
While ceramic blades have been popular in the kitchen for some time and have a reputation for holding a very sharp edge despite extensive use, they are a fairly new entry into outdoor use.
The Browning offering comes with three ceramic inserts included — drop point, gut hook and caper — all compatible with a 420J2 stainless-steel razor blade. In addition, the knife features sculpted G-10 scales, an alloy bolster with anodized finish, steel pocket clip and nylon belt sheath that includes a polymer hard case for extra blades.
The hunting tool, which retails for $39.99, is available from major outdoor retail stores or may be obtained by contacting the company at Browning.com. Ultimate frying
The Ultimate Frying Weapon, designed to give chefs the ability to scoop, drain, flip, scrape, dice or serve with one handy tool, has hit the market this year, courtesy of FireDisc Cookers of Houston.
Constructed of heavy gauge stainless steel, the utensil has an overall length of 22 inches and a width of 8.5 inches to provide excellent access in any deep-frying device.
The long stainless-steel handle comes equipped with a high-heat rubbermolded grip that stays cool to the touch and is easy to grasp while keeping a user’s hands away from hot cooking oil or food. In addition, a built-in hook offers a convenient way to hang the tool at the ready when not in use.
The Ultimate Frying Weapon sells for a suggested retail price of $44.99. More information is available at firedisccookers.com.