Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Before you know it, the holidays will be upon us and we'll all be scrambling to find the perfect gift for the people we love. If someone you love also loves the outdoors, here are some ideas that are sure to please.

Good Maps Are Essential

Build Your Own

Whether your passion is fishing, hiking, hunting, off-roading, RV-ing, or geocaching, good maps are essential. The best way to get the perfect map is to visit MyTopo.com and build your own. These are especially great for hunters because you can choose the hunt unit you prefer and get a detailed topo map of the entire unit on one sheet.

You can also choose from a variety of sizes, and you can choose layers as well - such as land ownership, etc. The price depends on the size you choose, but the hunt unit maps are just under $35. For fishermen, waterproof maps are a must.

Even if your angler has a depthfinder with a gps built in, there is no subsitute for being able to see the entire lake at a one go. This helps you plan your fishing strategy.

Kayakers and any one who just loves to explore on the water will also find these maps invaluable. Go to omnimap.com to find excellent maps of Arizona lakes and rivers by Fish-N-Map Company. I've been using them for years and they're detailed, rugged, and easy to read. They're only around $11 each, too.

National Forest Maps

Another great map idea for people who like camping, hiking, and exploring is a set of National Forest maps. You can buy them online or you can go to a Forest Service Ranger Station and buy them.

These maps include a ton of information, such as camping, boating, snow ski and fishing sites, forest roads and trails, scenic attractions, and all kinds of useful things. They're only $10 each. You can buy them at nationalforestmapstore.com.

There Are Map Apps Too

I have downloaded a complete set of topo maps of Arizona onto my iphone via an app called Topo Maps by Phil Endecott. Once you get the app ($7.99), you can choose which quadrant maps to download or you can cover the entire state. I chose to download every one of them for Arizona, so no matter where I go I can use the app.

You can also choose low or high resolution - I chose high. If storage on you iOs device is a problem, just download the ones you need for each trip. When you open the maps, you see where you are in real time, which helps immensely with navigation.

We use this constantly, and there is a version for the ipad as well, but if you want to see yourself on the map you'll need an iPad that is cellular capable. You don't have to actually have cell service on it, but it won't have GPS if it isn't cell capable.

There are many other map apps to be had, but you have to be careful – some charge a monthly fee and unless you're going to use all the special features, it really isn't worth it. That being said, travelers often use an iPad or a small laptop for maps and other information, or just to use whenever they check into a hotel.

For Hikers: A Small Daypack

If a hiking newbie is on your list, why not buy them a small daypack with a hydration bladder? I recently found one on Groupon for under $25. You can gift it as is, or put some small essentials inside.

I chose to include small first aid supplies, survival bandana, a pocket knife, insect repellent sheets, sunscreen packets, and a couple of books of hiking guides for the areas my new hiker likes to visit. You can tailor the bag to suit the person you're giving it to, and it's sure to be a hit.

Wrap A Laptop Or Tablet

One thing that really makes a laptop or tablet great for travel is a GRID IT Wrap Sleeve. They come in a variety of sizes and allow you to keep essentials right where you need them – with the laptop or tablet. The GRID-IT for a 10-inch tablet is around $22, and for a 13-inch laptop it's about $40. You can get them on Amazon.

Glovax Ideal For Anglers, Hunters

For something small, light, and incredibly handy for any outdoorsman, look no further than Glovax gloves. These gloves are ideal because you can hold on to a slippery fish and clean it without worry because they are non-slip and cut resistant.

They'll help you when you collect wood, cook in camp, dig your truck out of a tough spot, or even work on the engine. They are abrasion resistant, water and oil resistant, durable, and comfortable.

I am a catch-and-release angler but I still love mine - I even use them inside the house, like when cutting onions. They're ideal for hunters because they keep your hands clean and help you keep hold of the knife, plus protect you from cutting yourself. They are super comfortable, too.

Best of all, you can get two pair for $49. They're on Indiegogo - just Google "Glovax" and you'll find them easily.

Zap The Pests

Nothing ruins a night by the campfire (or on the boat) like being eaten alive by mosquitoes. The perfect solution to that is the 2-in-1 LED USB Rechargeable Waterproof Mosquito Killer Bug Zapper Light Lantern. That's a really big name for such a small item - it actually weighs less than half a pound and is only 3.5 x 5 inches.

You can set the light at 20, 50, or 100 percent depending on the situation, and it attracts and zaps mosquitoes and other annoying insects to give you up to a 16x16 foot bug-free zone. It's also completely waterproof so you can rinse it clean, and it has a cage to protect you from the zapper.

A single charge can last 6 to 20 hours depending on the light brightness you select, and it can be hung or stood on a surface. This is perfect for campers, RV-ers, fishermen, and hunters. A mini USB charging cord is included, and the lantern is under $25. You can get one at bulbamerica.com.

GoSun Go Is An Excellent Gift

The GoSun Go Solar Stove is still in the project stage, but estimated delivery will be April of 2018. This is one of the best gifts you could give a camper, RV-er, or even a prepper - it's a portable solar oven that holds up to 14 ounces and can reach temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It cooks most meals in 20-30 minutes and stays hot for hours. Use it to boil water for your instant meals or to make coffee too.

If you go to kickstarter.com and pledge $99, you'll be one of the first to receive a GoSun Go Stove when they ship. You can buy larger GoSun Stoves right now - the GoSun Sport is $279 and will bake, roast, or steam a meal for two people in minutes, using just the power of the sun.

In our beautiful state of Arizona, where we are blessed with so much sunshine, this stove is ideal. The Sport folds down to a 7.5-pound package, perfect for car camping or an RV. It would also be great for hunting and fishing camps or boat trips. Check them out at gosunstove.com.

Pantry Ideas For Your Outdoors Person

Bug Zapper Lantern

These are just a few ideas for your outdoors person - and here's one more. If by chance you know a backpacker or prepper or camper who is vegan, there are many delicious vegan options for instant meals from Backpacker's Pantry. Many are also gluten free.

I pick them up at Sportsman's Warehouse for around $8 each. In fact, almost every time I'm there I pick up a couple. I've eaten them and they are all delicious. Just add hot water and wait a few minutes and you've got a delicious and filling meal. It cooks in the pouch, and you can eat it out of the pouch as well.

Of course, they also have tons of meals that have meat and cheese as well. Grab a few of these for your hiker or camper - the perfect stocking stuffer. While you're at Sportsman's Warehouse, wander around - you're sure to find a whole bunch of things that any outdoorsman would love.