Upland Gear Gift Guide

Perfect presents for the bird hunter in your life…even if that’s you!

by the Shoot-On Staff

Looking for a gift to buy a dedicated bird hunter or to add to your personal Wish List? Here’s the top gear we recommend for the upland afflicted.

ALPS OutdoorZ Upland Game Vest X

This vest is made with innovative details that make it good for casual hunts or long days spent afield. Thin shoulder straps make mounting easy and comfortable while two front shell pockets each fit a box of shells. A wrap-around game pocket holds a limit of birds and zips open for easy cleaning. The vest is water bladder-compatible for you and your bird dog and a large pocket holds extra gear and First Aid supplies. $140–$150; alpsoutdoorz.com

Franchi Instinct SL 16-Gauge

The 16-gauge shotgun is hot right now, so how better to make someone’s Christmas than by surprising them with a new over/under? The Franchi Instinct SL weighs in at just under six pounds thanks to an aluminum alloy receiver, and the A-Grade Satin Walnut stock and forearm give the affordable O/U a fine, classic styling. Chrome lined, 28” barrels, automatic ejectors, an auto safety, and three choke tubes (F, IC, M) round out the package. $1,729; franchiusa.com

Orvis Cold Weather Hunting Gloves

Warmth and dexterity are the key components to these late-season gloves. Goat leather makes up the palm and fingers of the gloves for a secure grip on your shotgun and to protect you from briars and barbed wire. PrimaLoft insulation can be found on the back of the hand and palm for warmth in the coldest of conditions. The best part: insulation is left out on the trigger finger and thumb for ease of shooting, and most importantly, safety. $50; orvis.com

Prois Pradlann Pant

These upland pants are produced for women uplanders, by women uplanders. Crafted with a polyester and spandex blend, the Pradlann pants are made to stretch through the knees and thighs for easy maneuverability in the field. For thick brush, the pants feature abrasion- and water-resistant fabric but remain breathable with zippered vents in the legs. Front and rear pockets provide plenty of storage and a hidden elastic adjustable waistband allows for the perfect fit. $170; proishunting.com

Carhartt Upland Field Jacket

Carhartt is known for durable gear made to withstand the elements, and that includes their upland gear. This field jacket is rugged but made with Quick Duck canvas that is lighter than traditional duck canvas for a greater range of motion. The jacket is coated with Rain Defender to keep you dry in light rain and a lightly padded shoulder saves your shooting shoulder from a beating. A front-loading game bag gives you quick access to store downed birds, while shell storage pockets and two water bottle pockets complete the package. $140–$155; carhartt.com

Stormy Kromer Waxed Cotton Cap

We just had to…the Stormy Kromer is a classic! This waxed canvas version of the original is lightweight and made with 100-percent waxed cotton canvas that is water-resistant. A polycotton lining keeps your noggin warm when hunting late-season birds. On cool, windy days, simply pull down the ear band to keep your ears from frostbite. Available in five different colors and made in the USA! $45; stormykromer.com

Dokken’s Deadfowl Trainers

Let’s not forget about the most important part of upland hunting: the dogs. Although not a toy, your pup will still appreciate these training dummies. Dokken’s Deadfowl Trainers have unique plastic tails for realism, soft natural-feel foam bodies, and free-swinging plastic heads to discourage the shaking of birds. The trainers come in all upland bird shapes and sizes, including pheasant, dove, chukar, Huns, grouse, and more. Each trainer is made with natural dead bird weight to encourage a proper pickup. Starting at $23; gundogsupply.com

Garmin Alpha 100

For the pointing breed dog owner in your life, surprise them with the Alpha 100 from Garmin and you’ll be the favorite child. This multi-dog tracking GPS and remote training device can track up to 20 dogs from 4-9 miles away and offers 18 levels of stimulation for training. Preloaded TOPO maps help you find ideal bird country to hunt and the tracking device measures your dog’s speed, distance traveled, and direction. $700; garmin.com