Pennsylvania Game News - December 2013 - 56

Solid foam targets will last for many
years and most are treated so that they
can be left outdoors and not be affected
by ultraviolet sunlight or the weather.
They are usually more expensive than
either bag or layered foam targets, but
their longevity more than makes up
for the higher price. Layered and solid
foam targets have the added advantage of being able to stop broadheads
and they come in a variety
of sizes to ﬁt every
budget.
If the gift recipient hunts with a
crossbow, be sure the
target you purchase
is rated for crossbow
use, because these
targets are designed
specifically to stop
faster crossbow bolts
while still allowing reasonably easy bolt removal. In addition,
a crossbow needs to be discharged at
the end of a hunt and just shooting the
bolt into the ground is not a good idea
because the bolt is likely to be damaged. A small crossbow target solves
the problem and can easily be brought
along on a hunt.
One item I've found indispensable,
but not often thought about is a tree
stand cable and lock. These locks come
with a 6-foot plastic-coated cable that
wraps around a tree and secures a tree
stand, ATV or any other item a hunter
wants protected. They sell for about
$20 and can protect valuable hunting
equipment from theft.
To get a deer out of the woods consider a two-wheel game cart. In addition to hauling deer, a game cart can do
double duty by hauling tree stands and
climbing ladders to a hunting location
56

and it can even be used for moving ﬁrewood at home or at camp. Just be sure
the one you choose has large wheels
and folds for easy storage.
Other items to consider are trail
cameras, memory cards for the cameras,
small handheld GPS units, clothing detergent without ultraviolet brighteners,
a grunt call or a set of rattling antlers.
I've found a small high-output ﬂashlight to be extremely
useful, and I always
carry a small policetype whistle for signaling in an emergency.
For cuts or nicks, a
small ﬁrst aid kit comes
in handy, and mine ﬁts
in my shirt pocket. The
one I have contains
aspirin, Band-Aids, a
small tube of antiseptic
ointment and some
gauze. A new folding knife is always
appreciated and a hank of quality rope
for hauling bows and other gear up the
tree makes a great stocking stuffer.
A good, inexpensive stocking stuffer
is a compact umbrella. They cost less
than $5 and I keep mine in a jacket
pocket. If it begins to rain while I'm in
a tree, I simply open the umbrella and
stick it in the branches above my head
to keep the rain off. If it's still raining
after hunting hours, I walk out with it
over my head.
Leave buying things such as arrows,
boots or clothing to the hunter, because
these are personal choices.
Gift buying for the archer can
be easy and relatively inexpensive.
Whatever you choose, take comfort in
knowing it will be much appreciated
next hunting season.

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Pennsylvania Game News - December 2013

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