Holiday Gift Guide Part 2
Lovers of the Alaska wilderness can be hard to shop for—after all, just look outside; they have everything they need, right?
But no, to actually get out there and hunt, fish, camp, float and trek through the bush for days and weeks at a time, you need gear. Quality gear. The best equipment on the market, in fact. The people who spend their days and nights afield in Alaska know the quality necessary when considering gear for the Great Land, and they refuse to compromise.
Just like us.
So take the questions out of gift-buying for your outdoors-loving friend or family member this year. Below you’ll find a list of those necessary and downright handy items that grace our staff’s various wish-lists this year. Someone on our staff either owns or has used and approved every single item here, and we stand behind the quality presented. Pick one or all; then sit back and prepare to be celebrated for choosing the perfect gift.
Alaska Game Bags – Northern Game Bags Guide Series
Released just this past year, these great game bags are knitted using 100% synthetic polyester, which provides them with great stretch; they are rolled for ease of use in the field, have a tight thick weave and are durable like all Alaska Game Bags products. Any avid hunter on your shopping list will love finding these under the tree this year.
Vortex Optics Diamondback Binoculars
Vortex optics completely redesigned their Diamondback binocular series for 2016, and these binos boast a short hinge and an upscale, sleek new look. An all-new optical system with enhanced, dielectric fully multi-coated lenses serves up stunning views and impressive low-light performance. The binos are engineered for superior ergonomics, comfort, solid purchase and durability. Eight models are available: 12×50, 10×50, 10×42, 8×42, 10×32, 8×32, 10×28 and 8×28.
Corbon .300 Win Mag 180-grain Scirocco II
If your hunter uses a .300 Win Mag, expand his rifle ammunition lineup by picking up a few boxes of the Corbon Scirocco II, which features a signature polymer black tip that initiates expansion and shape to reduce frontal air resistance. More technical details include an advanced secant ojive nose profile that allows high ballistic coefficient, while the pure copper jacket is progressively tapered to control expansion on a wide range of velocities. And finally, a boat-tail base profile reduces drag and eases seating. This is an ideal round for serious shooters.
MaxxDry Heavy Duty Boot, Shoe and Glove Dryer 
Another accessory that your outdoorsman will learn to love throughout the year, this multi-purpose dryer can accommodate two pairs of boots, shoes or gloves at once, and it gets the job done, making sure all your garments are dry and ready for the next adventure.
Anchorage Museum Camo Exhibit Tickets
Now this is a unique gift for your loved one, making the perfect date-night excursion or family outing. A new Anchorage Museum exhibit this winter, Camouflage: In Plain Sight expands beyond the familiar associations of camouflage to explore how we work to be seen and unseen. Included in the exhibition are historical objects, natural history specimens, items from popular culture and major works of modern and contemporary art by artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and CindySherman. Camouflage also explores how contemporary society and new technology continually transform the way we hide in plain sight. The Exhibit is on view through February 5, 2017, and adult tickets to the museum are $15 ($12 for Alaska residents). Students and Seniors are $10, and it’s $7 for children 3-12.
Mr. Heater Big Buddy
This is a great gift to put under the tree this Christmas, as it can provide immediate satisfaction—take it right out on the ice after your holiday dinner, in fact, and you’ll discover that whether you need to generate some much needed warmth indoors or out, the Big Buddy from Mr. Heater is definitely the way to go. Connecting directly to two one-pound disposable cylinders, or to a single 20-pound cylinder, the unit will heat up to 400 square feet of space, making it an exceptional companion for your late winter excursions onto the ice—whether you utilize an ice house or not. The automatic low-oxygen shutoff system and accidental tip-over safety shutoff help make it extremely safe and functional as well.
SKB Hunter Series Bowcase 2SKB-4117
This is a great case that keeps everything an archer needs organized and protected. It is lightweight, convenient for travel and nicely fits bow, arrows and accessories. Additionally, we have used SKB rifles cases for almost 10 years and think theyare topnotch. We’ve used the single rifle, double rifle and quad rifle cases to transport our firearms all over Alaska and they have kept our guns intact, safe and secure. We highly recommend SKB products and know that anyone who receives one will appreciate it.
Creation in Antler
If you want to really surprise the hunter on your list, why not supply him or her with a high-end European skull mount? Creation in Antler offers a range of custom art products, and with the introduction of “Dragonskin” coating, you can have an existing skull custom-coated with a variety of real metals, patinas and textures. If you don’t have a skull, extremely detailed reproduction skulls are available for sheds, while you can also check into a range of custom recreations of horns, antlers and skulls.
Full Curl Archery Gift Certificate
Located in south Anchorage, Full Curl Archery is Alaska’s Premier Archery Pro Shop, and the locally-owned family business specializes in one thing… archery! If you’ve got a bowhunter in your family, stop by and either pick out the perfect gift, or just grab a gift certificate if you’re not sure what to choose for that outdoor-loving friend or family member. Full Curl Archery offers a quality product, competitive pricing and excellent customer service, and their huge selection of compound bows makes it certain you’ll give the hit gift of the year.
Huskemaw Tactical 5-30×56 Long Range Scope
For Alaska hunters who may need to dial-in a long-distance shot to take down their game, the Huskemaw Optics 5-30 Long Range Scope is one of the most advanced ballistic-compensating riflescopes available. With a range oftechnical advancements as well as special features for the big-game hunter, it’s suffice to say this is a big-ticket item your hunter will go ballistic over.
Delorme InReach
Staying safe in the field is a priority for Alaskans, and adding some peace of mind to our families back at home is a close second. Well, this two-way personal communicator is just what you need then, offering two-way satellite text messaging, delivery confirmation, SOS alerting, remote GPS tracking and locating, and an Android and Apple operating system device interface for use with smartphones and tablets. It’s compact, lightweight, waterproof, floatable and impact-resistant, and it can maintain satellite signal lock even in difficult to reach GPS environments.
Diamond D Custom Leather Guide’s Choice™ Chest Holster
The Guide’s Choice™ Chest Holster is our go-to pistol holster when hunting, fishing or hiking in Alaska. It’s comfortable to wear, positions the pistol in an easy-to-access spot for quick draw that does not get in the way when you are hunting or fishing, and it is available to fit a wide range of pistols. The model we have tested over the last 8 years fits a Ruger Redhawk .44 Rem Mag revolver and is the best holster we have ever used.
Hilleberg Nallo 2 Tent
Help keep your hunter warm, dry and comfortable this year by setting him or her up with a new Hilleberg tent, which are made from quality materials and will last for many years, making it worth the investment. We recommend the Nallo 2, as we like the roomy vestibule that allows for keeping gear dry and organized, plus the spacious sleeping area. It is waterproof and durable. We’ve tested a variety of Hilleberg tents over the years in some of the nastiest conditions Alaska can produce and have been deeply impressed with the quality and ruggedness of Hilleberg tents.
Smokehouse Big Chief Smoker
We’ve used this smoker in multiple applications and have always been pleased with the end product. You can fit up to 50 pounds of meat into the unit and it is very easy to use. The product includes a 1 3/4-pound bag of wood chips as well as a recipe booklet. Smokehouse also produces a wide range of jerky and sausage-making products that would make excellent gifts.
Land Shark Instant Survival Shelter & Stealth Bag
For use on both land and sea, in climates hot or cold, the Land Shark Instant Survival Shelter & Stealth Bag increases survival time by enclosing the user and helping regulate their body temperature in extreme environments. It also provides protection from the harmful effects of sun, sea and rain, while offering increased visibility or stealth, depending on the wearer’s needs. If you’ve got an avid outdoorsman on your list, this is the kind of unexpected gift that will be thoroughly appreciated throughout the year.
Pacific Eyewear Shooter’s Edge Glasses
These are light, comfortable shooting glasses, which add to your performance as well. These shooting safety glasses meet or exceed national safety standards, and are available in a range of frame options, including over-the-glasses styles, with lens color options ofclear, yellow and brown (we’ve found that the yellow lens color provides excellent clarity).