Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Hunting and Fishing Dad

Sure, we love our dad(s). And we want to give them a gift that speaks to them, that they can have fun with, that will truly convey how much we care for them and communicate that we pay attention to their interests... But sometimes, those interests are so far removed from our own that we just don't know where to begin. Enter helpful gift guides, custom-tailored to your Father's Day gift idea needs-in this case, for a hunting and fishing Dad.

Subscription to a hunting and fishing magazine. Okay, so perhaps you've thought of this Father's Day gift, but aren't sure what magazines are the most pertinent to this hobby. Try Field and Stream (http://www.fieldandstream.com/), Outdoor Life (http://www.outdoorlife.com/), or do an internet search for a local mag (For example, my Dad's in Missouri, and a quick search revealed http://www.missourigameandfish.com/). No cash to swing a sub? Take a sweep through some hunting and fishing blogs, and forward the links to your Dad, or print off some of the more interesting stories for the non-internet savvy father.

Renew his licenses or permits. Every year and/or game season, a hunter or fisherman has to renew or obtain new licenses or permits in order to hunt or fish. Again, the internet is your friend. Do an internet search for hunting or fishing permits or licenses in your state. A quick search revealed this helpful website for my Dad's state of Missouri: http://mdc.mo.gov/regs/permits.htm. It lists all available permits, their costs, and a variety of ways to purchase them, for one-stop Father's Day gift shopping. One recommendation: avoid past or current seasons-he is probably already covered.

Make a modified scrapbook. This can be done quickly and inexpensively! Buy a simple 4" x 6" photo album. Leave every other page or so open for photos. In a word processing document, create a text box that is 4" x 6", and type up a quote about hunting and/or fishing (again, internet search is your friend). Also include some basic prompts like who, what, when, where, how, etc., or insert some blank lines so your Dad can add the details. Use color and fun fonts and consider printing on specialty paper to up the visual interest. Now print, trim, and insert into every other page-voila, an instant brag book for all your father's latest conquests.

A GPS system. If your dad is like mine and only hunts on his own land, perhaps he won't be needing this. But if your father is the more adventurous, tech-savvy, or direction-hopeless type, then this Father's Day gift could be a useful and fun addition to his arsenal. Try a respected brand like Garmin, available at The GPS Store (http://www.thegpsstore.com). Besides, if hunting and fishing are newfound hobbies, they may not last, and this tool will help him explore other hobbies such as geocaching, cycling, or hiking.

If all else fails, give him a gift card. Again, something you may have thought of, but weren't sure where to get one. While discount stores often have an outdoor section and might be good for a beginner, they won't have the specialty items a long-time outdoorsman will want. Try Cabela's (http://www.cabelas.com) or Bass Pro (http://www.basspro.com) for a surefire Father's Day gift that is the right size and color every time.