One of the best Chrismas gifts I ever received was a crisp $20 bill I found stuffed in an envelope that was tucked away under the tree way back in 1967. The reason I remember it so well is because I got my butt spanked for the way I went about spending it.

The following morning I mounted my Schwinn FastBack and peddled two miles to a Gibson’s department store. They had lots of good fishing stuff there, but a Abu Garcia spinning outfit grabbed my eye.

I was gone for less than an hour, but my mother didn’t take kindly to the disappearing act. Looking back, I can’t say that I blame her. I was only seven at the time and didn’t bother to tell anyone about the crosstown adventure I began plotting the evening before.

Was it worth the trouble? You bet. There is no telling how many bass, catfish and crappie I reeled in from my grandmother’s stock tank in Collin County with that little spinning outfit before I finally tore it up in a tangle with a loggerhead snapping turtle.

Christmas is just around the corner. If you haven’t done it already, now is the time to start casting for gift hints from the hunter or angler in the family.

While twenty bucks won’t buy near as much as it used to, many retailers offer some hot bargains on cool stuff during the final weeks leading up to Christmas Day. What follows is a list of outdoor gear gift ideas for sporting types.

Happy shopping.



Primos Escape Deluxe Ground Blind

Ground blinds are becoming increasingly popular with deer and turkey hunters, largely because of their portability and convenience. Primos’ new Escape Deluxe model weighs only 17 pounds and measures more than 6 feet in height and width, providing freedom of movement with a bow or firearm. The exterior is made using durable 600 Denier polyester coated with a scent eliminator. It has 12 shoot-through mesh windows, gear pockets, brush holders, tie down stakes and a carrying case. Normally retails for $179.99 at Bass Pro Shops, but is currently on sale for $129.99 at primos.com.



Abu Garcia Vendetta Casting Rod

The new Vendetta Series line-up kicks out good quality for a price that won’t break the bank. The Vendetta is built around a quality graphite blank and outfitted with all sorts of goodies including Pac Bay guides with SiC inserts and a Fuji Soft-Touch ACS reel seat. It has a split grip handle made from high-density EVA foam and a cool looking anodized aluminum lock down with satin red highlights that coordinate nicely with the rest of the rod, including an aluminum butt cap that wears the Abu Garcia crest. Available in casting and spinning models in a variety of actions and lengths. Sells for around $80 at purefishing.com.



Easy View Complete Tackle System

The tackle management system for fishing boats turns dead space into valuable storage space for organizing baits and terminal tackle so they are easy to find and access. It comes with nine tension clip strips and two crankbait holders that mount to the bottom of rod locker and storage compartment lids. The clips hold soft plastic bags, spinnerbaits, jigs and hooks. Installs in minutes using basic hand tools. Sells for $48.95 at easyviewtackle.com.



Dry Pack Cell Phone Case

The waterproof case floats and is guaranteed to keep cellular phones and other electronics dry, even when submersed in water. Seals out the elements with a simple twist of the knobs, but you can still talk and listen through the case. Measures 4x6 inches. Sells for $13.99 at drypakcase.com/drypak.



Shimano Curado 200E7

When it comes to fishing reels, it is hard to go wrong with Shimano. The 200E7 is a low-profile, smooth-casting workhorse that weighs a measly 7.6 ounces. It has seven corrosion resistant ball bearings, a VBS braking system and premium 7.0:1 gears. Available in left or right hand models. Sells for around $179.00 at shimano.com.



Everlite Solar LED Headlamp

Provides waterfowlers, fishermen and hunters with hands-free lighting minus the worry of carrying around extra batteries or finding an AC outlet to juice rechargeables. The five-LED lamp casts light 40-60 feet and recharges in shade or full sunlight using a small solar panel. Runs up to 12 hours on high beam and another 12 hours on the dimmer or strobe settings. Weighs three ounce and comes with an adjustable head band. Solar panel adapters for charging cell phones, GPS units, iPods and digital cameras are available. Sells for $50 at newlite.com.



EZ Riser Flexible Boarding Ladder

Here is a must have for any duck hunting or fishing boat not equipped with a factory boarding ladder. Taking a tumble into chilly water while wearing bulky clothing or waders can be tragic without someone to assist in re-entering the boat. The rope ladder secures open or closed boat cleats and deploys by opening a Velcro strap. Has two plastic steps fitted with non-skid padding. Sells for $24.95 at ezriserjetstep.com.



TomTom One 130 GPS

An affordable personal navigation system that features a 3 1/2-inch touch screen with pre-loaded maps of the U.S. and Canada, millions of points of interest and an emergency menu. The EasyPort mount folds neatly into the back of the device for quick storage. Costs around $100 at tomtom.com.



Gift Certificates

Take the guesswork out of gift purchases with a gift certificate to a big name sporting goods retailer like Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas or Academy. Free passes to chain restaurants also make good gifts. Cracker Barrel sells gift certificates for $10, $25 and $50.



Midland Pocket Weather Alert Radio

Mother Nature can turn nasty in a heartbeat, and that can be a bad deal if she catches you in the woods or on the water. Midland’s Pocket Weather Alert Radio allows you to get current forecasts from National Weather Service and issues automatic notification of severe weather or impending warnings. Comes in an attractive Moss Oak camo pattern. Small enough to fit in a pocket or backpack. Sells for $19.99 at midlandradio.com.