Petersen's Hunting Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Hunters get out of bed early for two things: to catch the first moments of morning's light and, on December 25, to see what great new gear Santa left under the tree.

What they'll find depends on where their names fall on the naughty-to-nice matrix, but even the most miscreant hunter ends up with something to open Christmas morn. Here's hoping we've been good enough to get some of the gear from our holiday wish list.

STOCKING STUFFERS

Peltor™ Tactical 100 Electronic Hearing Protector

Featuring proprietary 3M technology that suppresses harmful gunshot noise while amplifying low level sounds, the 3M™ Peltor™ Tactical 100 Electronic Hearing Protector is ideal for both indoor and outdoor shooters and hunters. $99 | 3M.com

Darex Combo Knife Sharpener

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The Combo Knife Sharpener, recipient of the 2016 Blade Show "Accessory of the Year" award, is designed to be Work Sharp's fastest and easiest sharpener to date. It combines the flexible abrasive belt technology of their powered sharpeners with a unique tapered ceramic rod for manual honing. It sharpens pocket knives, hunting knives, serrated knives, kitchen knives and more. Precision sharpening and honing guides set a perfect edge angle every time — making it very fast and easy to use. With the Combo Knife Sharpener anyone can successfully restore a dull knife to "sharp as new" with ease and repeatability. MSRP $60 | WorksharpTools.com

Leatherman Charge ALX

The Leatherman Charge ALX, in addition to all its other features, adds an aggressive cutting hook on the back of the serrated blade. Rip through tough materials like seatbelts, linoleum and leather with no problem. Get your hands around the Charge ALX's unbeatable ergonomic grip, outside-accessible blades and premium materials like 154CM and 6061-T6 anodized aluminum. MSRP $140 | Leatherman.com

Triumph Systems Ethical Harvest Target

These splattering targets are so cool they'll get hunters out of the house and onto the range on Christmas day. Each 22x30-inch corrugated board features a unique vital zone with up to 100 gel-filled pods that burst and ooze when hit. The heart "bleeds" Hi-Viz red gel while the lungs feature Hi-Viz blue gel, providing instant proof of a killing shot. Fun and educational, but don't worry Mom, the gel is water-soluble and won't stain. $22 | Triumph-Systems.com

Yeti Personalized Rambler

The only place spit should be swapped this season is under the mistletoe, but now that everyone has a Yeti Rambler, it's inevitable someone will sip from the wrong glass. A custom job keeps that kind of cross-contamination to a minimum. For a small fee, Yeti will personalize any size Rambler with a laser-etched logo, monogram, or text of your choosing. Like Yeti's insulated, stainless-steel drink container, the design is all but indestructible. It won't fade, scratch, or wipe away — no matter how hard you treat it. Available on all Bottles and Tumblers as well as the Lowball and the Colster. $30 — $90 | YetiCustomShop.com

Duke's Meat Snacks

Normally, we'd say stuff that stocking with your own sausage, but it is hunting season so we understand that you're still busy trying to fill the winter's cache. So go ahead and outsource snacking with these meaty treats from Duke's. The small-batch snacks are made from all-natural foods with an ingredient list you can actually pronounce. Offerings include jerky, steak strips, and, our favorite, bite-sized smoked sausages. $7 | DukesMeats.com

Smartwool Hunt Socks

When you were a kid, opening a package of socks was akin to taking a reindeer hoof in the 'nads, but now that you're older, you can appreciate them. Smartwool makes some of the best socks for hunters, thanks to the intelligent fit system that combines bracing cuffs at the ankle and arch with extra reinforcing in the heel and ball. Multiple weights of soft, insulating merino wool are available for all-season performance.

$12 — $24 | SmartWool.com

Outdoor Edge Wild-Lite Knife Set

This handy kit adds three more knives to your collection, plus an easy-to-use, two-stage sharpener. The skinning knife, caper, and thin, flexible boning knife are all crafted from high-grade, stainless steel honed by hand to hair-shaving sharpness. Bright orange handles are thermo-rubber that won't slip from the grip when wet or bloody. Everything comes packed in a handy, thermo-plastic case perfectly sized to slip into that holiday stocking. MSRP $40 | OutdoorEdge.com

CCI Copper-22 .22LR

Finding a brick in your stocking is customarily a bad thing, except when it's a brick of ammo. California kids, and anyone wanting an eco- option for their plinking and small-game hunting, will find CCI's new offering right up their shooting gallery. A composite 21-grain bullet composed of copper and polymer is backed by the company's proprietary propellants to achieve speeds up to 1,850 fps and bunny-busting accuracy. $11 per 50 rounds | CCI-Ammunition.com

UNDER $250

Wildgame Innovations Crust X20 Lightsout Trail Cam

If you let your hunter open just one gift Christmas Eve, make it this one. Then he can set up a camera trap to catch Santa Claus in the act. With a half-second trigger speed and 54-piece infrared lens, it captures brilliant, 20-meg images day or night. And with a wide-angle option and 720p HD video, you can finally prove to the kids that he is real. $200 | WildgameInnovations.com

KUIU Peloton 200 Zip-T

Santa knows about staying warm. We bet he's got one of these under that bright red suit. It's crafted from 200-gram Karuishi fleece brushed to create a mid-loft, which allows it to hold more warm air, increasing the insulating power without adding weight or bulkiness. The fabric stretches in all directions, something the jolly fat man surely appreciates on his shimmy down the chimney. $90 | Kuiu.com

Canyon Coolers Quest Soft Cooler

There are few places where a beer tastes better than in the backcountry. The problem is keeping them cold. Built like a classic dry bag from raft-grade tarpaulin, but with a layer of IceSkin insulation, this soft-sided cooler is just big enough for a six-pack and some ice. It carries easily and seals down tightly. Lash points keep it secure on the UTV, horse, or kayak.

$100 | CanyonCoolers.com

Huntworth Men's Soft Shell Jacket

If this jacket came in Christmas-tree camouflage it just might be the perfect mid-layer for the December season. In Oak Tree EVO, it's still pretty darn good thanks to a multi-stretch shell bonded to warm, lightweight 350-gram berber fleece. Treated for maximum water-repellency, it sheds both light drizzles and the occasional snow squall and is completely impervious to the wind. $80 | HuntworthGear.com

Browning Insulated Dog Crate Cover

You shouldn't be the only ones who get to warm up in the truck after a cold day afield — your K9 hunting buddy should, too. An insulated dog crate cover is just the ticket and Browning is answering the call. Made of water resistant 900D fabric with roll flap doors and zipper closures, the Browning Insulated Cover comes complete with sturdy rubber mesh windows and exterior pockets for extra equipment storage. Measuring 34"L x 20"W x 27"H, the cover cinches tight to fit the following crates: Aspen Pet 25-30lb and 50-70 lb, Ruff Tough intermediate and large size kennels, and Ruff Max 50-70lb. $150 | SPGOutdoors.com

OVER $250

Wickedridge Warrior G3 Crossbow

The only downside to giving a crossbow for Christmas is the creative gift-wrapping required to disguise it. All that paper and tape is worth it considering the Warrior throws bolts at a blistering 320 feet per second. Lightweight, at just over 6.5 pounds, and fast-handling, it's great for stand hunting whitetails or stalking a last-minute bull in the snow. Ready to hunt right out of the wrapping with a 3X scope, quiver, and three bolts. $469 | WickedridgeCrossbows.com

Sig Sauer Sig MCX ASP Air Rifle

Ralphie's Red Ryder is no match for this CO2-powered trainer. Built with virtually the same specs as its centerfire sibling, right down to the trigger pull and 18-inch, rifled steel barrel. The combination of a unique refillable magazine and 90-gram gas cylinder accurately delivers 30 rounds of either .177 or .22 pellets downrange as fast as you can pull the trigger. Available in optics-equipped packages with the choice of a field-ready 1-4x24mm scope or 3-MOA red dot. $300 | SigSauerasp.com

White Wing Label Rifle Case

If you're a serious hunter, then you don't cut corners on your rifle or your glass. Other than your own steady hand and sharp eye, their precision is key to your success. So when White Wing Label designed the scoped Rifle Case, they wanted it to protect your firearm and absolutely swaddle your scope against bumps and dings. It does. A two-inch clearance at all points around the scope, plus dorper lamb shearling lining and a tough leather exterior make this handsome case a suit of armor for your deadly duo. Available in 18 oz. duck canvas and 18 oz. waxed canvas. Dimensions 46" L x 10.5" W. MSRP $270 to $300 | WhiteWingLabel.com

Cabela's Exclusive Kimber

Everyone wants Santa to bring them a gun for Christmas. Good thing Kimber has partnered with Cabela's on three feature packed special edition models: the Ultra CSE, Micro 9 CSE and Micro 380 CSE. Designed for concealed carry customers, the CSE models are chambered in 45 ACP, 9mm, and 380 ACP. Each model features lightweight aluminum frames, black stainless slide with brushed polished flats, and black small parts. Built to exacting Kimber standards, every CSE model is built on a foundation of hand fitted match grade barrels, chamber, and aluminum match grade triggers. Equipped with white dot sights and the durability of great looking G10 grips. MSRP Micro .380 649.99, Micro 9MM 699.99, Ultra .45ACP 899.99 | Cabelas.com

Savage Model 42 Takedown

What to get the prepper on your list who's already well-stocked in MREs and toilet paper? This .22/.410 combo gun is more than just a survival-kit essential. It's also a great plinker for the young hunter and a handy truck gun when traveling off the beaten path. It breaks down for storage with a quick push of a button and assembles just as fast and easy. The synthetic stock will survive bunker life and bush abuse. $500 | SavageArms.com

Blaser F3 Shotgun

The only way you're finding one of these beauties under the tree is either you've been very good this year or Santa has been very bad and you have the Polaroids to prove it. Built to the same exacting tolerances you would expect from a German speedster, the stack-barrel Blaser features fine-grain walnut matched to a matte black receiver and Monobloc barrels with an elevated rib. The F3's mechanics are just beautiful, with in-line firing pins, a mechanical trigger, and unique ejectors that cock upon firing for a smoother, easier break-open action. $7,980 | Blaser-USA.com

Cabela's XPG Ultralight Two-Person Tent

Christmas may be a little cold to think about camping, but backcountry addicts are always dreaming about fall. This lightweight tent is roomy enough for a couple of hunters with plenty of gear storage thanks to an eight-square-foot vestibule. Weighing a bit under four pounds, it's easy on the back when packed for the trail and leaves some capacity in the pack for a load of meat when hiking out after a successful hunt. $400 | Cabelas.com

Steiner Predator 10x42 Binoculars

Judging reindeer antler inches from three roofs over with just some twinkling Christmas bulbs to light the night requires good optics. These low-light performers might just be the ticket, thanks to proprietary color-adjusted multi-coatings on the polished glass. The rubber-coated, roof-prism design is durable and compact, and at well under two pounds, they're a go-to pair of binos for any big-game hunter. $460 | Steiner-Optics.com