Father's Day is just around the corner, and if the fathers, grandfathers, and other such dads in your life happen to be outdoorsmen, you're likely well acquainted with the term "spoiled for choice." The hunting and fishing market is flooded with gear these days, and it can leave consumers wondering if they've bought the right product, or even if the product they've bought is useful at all. When shopping around, it's best to keep it simple in function. Here at American Hunter, we have compiled a great guide to some of the best buys of this season. True to our word, we've kept the categories themselves simple, but made sure the products are among the best in their class.
Meindl Socks
Is Dad more concerned with packing on miles in comfort than anything else? Check out Meindl's MT3.5 Lightweight Merino Wool Socks. Boot height at 10-inches tall, these are ideal for late spring and summer hiking or scouting trips. Two millimeters thick and two ounces per sock, the MT3.5 Lightweight Merino Wool Sock will provide compression without adding unnecessary thickness, all while retaining the moisture-wicking properties of merino. Even better, the socks are designed and marked for right- and left-feet, for optimal comfort and fit. Check them out, along with a ton of other great socks and hunting boots, at meindlusa.com. MSRP: $23
Seirus Thick-N-Thin Shooter
Did dad end up with some cold hands this turkey season? On the lookout for a thin set of spring gloves that keeps warmth in while maintaining full dexterity? Look no further than the Seirus Thick-N-Thin (TNT) Shooter gloves. The back is bolstered with Warm WeatherShield tri-laminate material, for wind and weatherproof protection. The palm, meanwhile, is DynaMax for better control of a firearm and is coated with lines of grippy material. Further still, the trigger fingers are made extra sensitive for peak accuracy. The gloves are available in sizes S-XXl, and come in Realtree Xtra or Realtree Edge. For more information, visit seirus.com. MSRP: $34.99
King's Camo XKG Leg Gaiters
Is Dad tired of torn up pants and boots full of rain, snow and mud? Get him a set of King's Camo XKG Leg Gaiters. With a reinforced boot buckle and double-riveted boot-lace hook, these gaiters will rack up miles without argument. A velcro front closure and top closure buckle seals off the bonded waterproof fabric from the elements, while a three-layer four-way stretch material keeps things comfortable. The lower leg is further reinforced for additional durability. For more information on these gaiters, available in M/L and L/XL in four different camo and color patterns, visit kingscamo.com. MSRP: $79.99
Schaefer Outfitters Western Denim Snap Shirt
Looking for denim that doubles up well for date night? Check out the Schaefer Outfitters Western Denim Snap Shirt. One-hundred-percent cotton, pre-washed to prevent shrinking and with a classic fit, Dad will love this shirt whether hanging around at home or out on the town. It comes with three-snap cuffs, snap front pockets with a pen slot, and can be purchased in either a Dark Indigo or Light Wash. Check it out at schaeferoutfitter.com. S-2XL; MSRP: $100
Spartan Precision Javelin Lite TL
Let's be honest with ourselves here. No matter how many times Dad tells you he's just as good off a tree as a rest, it just isn't true. Help him get stable this Father's Day with the Javelin Lite TL bipod, from Spartan Precision. At just 6.3 ounces, this little bipod is as lightweight as it is stable, and is designed to be taken on and off the rifle in the field, keeping those ounces off the fore-end in case you do have to make a standing shot. Legs are twist adjustable, and the unit boasts 30 degrees of smooth traverse and 15 degrees of cant. Perfect for the backcountry, the Javelin Lite TL is available as a standalone bipod if your dad already has the unique MagnaSwitch attachment system on his rifle (like the Taurus Expedition), or is available bundled with an easily attachable adapter of your choice for just 10 dollars more. Visit javelinbipod.com for more information. MSRP: $150-$160
Caldwell Claycopter
Looking for endless hours of family fun this summer? Check out the new Claycopter, from Caldwell. A true innovation in the shotgun-shooting market, the Claycopter makes shooting clays with Dad as easy as pressing a button, no heavy machinery or intensive setup required. The handheld Claycopter uses an electric motor to spin target discs up to 15,000 RPM, propelling them into flight in remarkably the same way as a live bird, and can fire singles or doubles. Its removable and rechargeable Li-io battery pack launches up to 300 targets on a single charge, while variable speed control allows the user to control launches out to 100 yards. Two sizes of flying disc target are available—110mm or 90mm—depending on what speed and target behavior you're looking to achieve. The best part? Targets do not break when they hit the ground, so they can be re-used if they're missed, and cost just $63.96 for a pack of 200 110mms, or $47.96 for a pack of 200 90mms. Check out this cool new tech at caldwellshooting.com. MSRP: $219.99
WileyX Apex
Is your dad looking for a nice pair of sunglasses to replace the dollar-store shades he left in the turkey woods this spring? Look no further than the WileyX Apex. Fully polarized; available with Blue, Tungesten or Black lenses; and set in Gloss Black, Matte Black, or Tortiseshell frames, the WileyX Apex yield full protection from UV rays and looks stylish while doing it. What's more, they are even ANSI Z87.1+ rated for impact protection, meaning they can double as shooting glasses when need be. Temples are stainless steel for both feel and durability, while nose pads and temple tips are dual-injected rubber for comfort. Just make sure your dad knows these are not a pair to lose. Learn more about them at wileyx.com. MSRP: $236
Benchmade Station Knife
It's not hard to see why Benchmade's offering is on this list. This knife is not just art but, even better, it's functional art. Hunters put a lot of thought and effort into selecting the best field-dressing knife, skinning knife and EDC, but very often they forget about the final destination of their harvest—the kitchen. Luckily, this classic American brand has just the ticket—its Station Knife. From its name to its large, clip-point profile, the Station Knife is very obviously a knife designed to rule the chef's station. It's CPM-154 blade, a powder-metal version of 154CM, holds a great edge, and can slice meat and dice vegetables with equivalent ease. Part of this is thanks to its large profile, which makes it comfortable to put one hand on top to guide the blade. Its handle is Richlite, a durable, multi-layer fibrous composite that is almost overkill for the level of abuse it will encounter in the kitchen. From the grill to stir-Friday, the Station Knife will have Dad covered. Learn more about it at benchmade.com. MSRP: $340
Work Sharp Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener
Is Dad even more of a knife nerd? Is he constantly going on about things like bevel angle, tip profile, and trying to pop hairs with his pocketknife? If so, check out the Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener, from Work Sharp. With everything you'll ever need to keep your knife sharp in one convenient carrying case, the Professional Precision Adjust Elite Knife Sharpener goes far beyond most knife sharpeners by allowing Dad to set his exact edge angle from 10 to 30 degrees in hundredth-degree increments, thanks to its digital angle indicator. Once he finds his desired angle, the kit then has eight abrasives from 220 to 3000 grit to get the edge as perfect as he wants, before moving on to the ceramic hone and leather strop to refine a mirror edge. Of course, if he's not quite so exacting, Work Sharp also has options suitable for general sharpening and field use. Check out this marvel of knife care at worksharptools.com. MSRP: $449.95
Leupold SX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2
Looking for a way to really make Dad's day? Check out the Leupold SX-4 Pro Guide HD Gen 2. The company's latest generation of Pro Guide HD spotting scope, the SX-4 will ensure Dad doesn't miss any game this season, no matter how far away. Featuring Diamond-Coat, scratch-resistant lenses with Guard-ion coatings that shed dirt, water and smudging, this spotter boasts an Arca Swiss Tripod Adapter and FormFit interchangeable eyecups for comfort. The scope is available with either 15-45x65mm or 20-60x85mm magnifications, in both a straight or angled profile. Learn more about it at leupold.com. MSRP: $799.99-$999.99
