Christmas Present Ideas?

[csmcclain]

I am going on a hunt in South Africa with my parents next year, and wanted to get them some Christmas presents that are gear related. This will likely be their only trip to RSA ever, so I wanted to make it special. As part of it, I’m already planning to buy my dad an animal while we are there, but that will be his 60th birthday present. Any thoughts on what I should get them? I have considered things like vellies, a copy of The Perfect Shot, shooting sticks, etc., but any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[PARA45]

Most likely you'll be going during their winter. So, I would say some safari clothing, and I don't mean camo. Some pants or shirts in light green, kaki, colors. Maybe a nice safari hat for your dad. He could wear after the safari. Maybe a book about the fauna in South Africa. I hope this helps.

 

[Schmidty]

A nice journal to write in to document details of the experience?

 

[csmcclain]

Most likely you'll be going during their winter. So, I would say some safari clothing, and I don't mean camo. Some pants or shirts in light green, kaki, colors. Maybe a nice safari hat for your dad. He could wear after the safari. Maybe a book about the fauna in South Africa. I hope this helps.

It will be September, so it’s a little warmer than when I’ve been before. I’m getting them some clothes that are season and occasion appropriate.

 

[mdwest]

Most likely you'll be going during their winter. So, I would say some safari clothing, and I don't mean camo. Some pants or shirts in light green, kaki, colors. Maybe a nice safari hat for your dad. He could wear after the safari. Maybe a book about the fauna in South Africa. I hope this helps.

This is where my mind first went..

A nice safari shirt and pants, traditional safari hat, some nice safari boots, and maybe some quality leather goods.. the stuff you never see a US hunter wearing (unless they have done a safari before)..

let him look the part while there, and enjoy the experience in its entirety.. and when he gets back home, its not all that hard to pull off a khaki collared shirt, a pair of OD green pants, and some leather shoes as "casual" wear out on the town.. so they can still be used after the fact (I was wearing one of my olive colored columbia camp shirts that wear when I hunt in Africa just yesterday)..

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Tag Zimbabwe or LL Bean make a nice Safari hunting vest. They are very functional. I have both and wear the LL Bean in Dark Green all the time at home and the grey one from Tag at the range a lot since it has both a shoulder pad and ammo loops. They are not too pricey but are quality garments that will last a lifetime. My LL Bean is more than 20y old, has never been washed and has Wildebeest and Cape Buffalo blood stains on it. Priceless.

Cabelas used to sell a Safari Series clothing line that had great shirts in it. I have four of them in tan, green, mauve, and brown but had to buy them used on Ebay because the line is now discontinued. But, Safari clothes do not get worn often and my used ones look like new. 100% cotton with a waterproof breast pocket for your passport and papers.

Shades from Shady Rays, hats, binos, cartridge holders leather Murray, etc. If you want to go full beans, a nice Swarovski Z6i big game scope for his rifle is a plus. Arken makes a 1-8x LPVO that is one of my favorite non-DG hunting scopes for only $300-370

 

[Boyd Brooks]

Add on a side trip to Victoria Falls, a truly spectacular sight to see. There are a lot of great things to see and do, and if you’re already there. If you think that they will only fly over once, maybe Kruger for some other African experience to really make it an experience of a lifetime.

 

[DaddyFlip]

If you wanted to go a little more high end, Westley Richards has some of their outerwear on 40+%off. I saw a few jackets I really liked. Still expensive, but a good deal if that's what you want. Have to hurry tho to get the shipping in time for Christmas.

 

[steve white]

Perhaps look into adding an extra day of bird hunting?
A camera with superior resolution?

 

[Sabre]

Tilley Hats would be a nice choice.
Shooting sticks are also a good suggestion
A nice knife, although they won't likely use it much on the hunt, it's something that could commemorate the hunt and they would keep it forever.

 

[Tintin]

Some great suggestions.

Can't go wrong with The Perfect Shot.

Game Animails of Africa would be another book, or relevant works Hemingway, Ruark etc.

I'm with @mdwest @JG26Irish_2 and @PARA45 on the clothing.

Journal as @Schmidty suggested is a good option - maybe a fountain pen to go with it - even a Lamy Safari.

@RIGBY do nice notebooks and Hunting Journals (in canvas or leather) - along with an array of other fine gifts.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

An Okapi knife would be a really nice African Christmas gift.

 

[Betterinthebush]

A pocket watch. Have it engraved with the dates.

Amazon.com: Gotham Men's Gun-Tone Railroad Dial Double Hunter 17 Jewel Mechanical Pocket Watch # GWC18806BBK : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

Buy Gotham Men's Gun-Tone Railroad Dial Double Hunter 17 Jewel Mechanical Pocket Watch # GWC18806BBK and other Pocket Watches at Amazon.com. Our wide selection is eligible for free shipping and free returns.

www.amazon.com

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I just checked Tag Safari is still selling vests and other hunting gear.
https://tagsafari.com

For a few bucks you can deck them out like Stuart Grainger and Debra Kerr, they might get a kick out of that.

 

[WyoBull]

Safari clothing, nice pair of boots, compact binoculars, Case Trapper folding knife in nice leather sheath are a few ideas.

 

[csmcclain]

Thanks all! Decided on going with a full safari wardrobe along with a could other things mentioned here.

 

[typilotguy]

Tilley Hats would be a nice choice.
Shooting sticks are also a good suggestion
A nice knife, although they won't likely use it much on the hunt, it's something that could commemorate the hunt and they would keep it forever.

So long as the knife is packed away in a rifle case. Not to raise the alarm bells, but I myself have had too many stolen from my "regular" bags between here any Jo'berg, and have had many clients experience the same, as of late.

 

[Art Lambart II]

Upgraded seats for the flights to and from Africa, its not gear but it will be greatly appriceated.

 

[Racer00]

Safari clothing is a great idea. Took my 84yr old mother to Namibia last March. Got her a cpl Tag shirts and Safari pants and a Tilley hat. She loved it and looked the part.
Another nice idea is a years subscription to African Hunting gazette. Lots of good reading and very hi quality print and photos.

 

[Beck]

Murray Custom Leather Cartridge Slide