Father's Day lands on June 17th this year, so there's still time to get shopping for the perfect gift for dad. Your dad might be a diehard hunter, a weekend warrior, or maybe he falls into a category all his own. If you're struggling to come up with something to get him that's as special as he is, here are some I’d be happy to unwrap or proud to give to my own dad.
1. Coffee
Whether dad needs a boost to get out in the field early in the morning, or just wants to sip on something that doesn’t come from a plastic container while reading the morning paper, start his day off right with a cup of Hunter's Blend coffee from Hemisphere Coffee Roasters. He’ll appreciate the perfectly roasted blend of coffee from Central America and East Asia and a much-needed pick-me-up caffeine boost, and you can rest easy knowing the green coffee beans are imported directly from the growers and processed right here in America. A 12 oz bag of whole beans or ground coffee will run you $12.50, but why not pair it with a 10 oz enamel Hunter’s Blend mug ($15) while you’re in the giving mood?
2. Knife Sharpener
Here’s a gift idea that would be great for any dad, except me, because I’ve already got one. When I first saw the WorkSharp Pocket Knife Sharpener, I knew I couldn’t wait until Father’s Day to get my knives on one. It’s compact and won’t take up much room in a day pack or duffel, so dad can take it anywhere and touch up his knife wherever he goes. I’m taking mine on a Canadian fishing trip with my dad, and while I’m cleaning all his fish, I’ll know my fillet knife is up to the task. It’s got a 20-degree angle guide on the 320-grit diamond plate to put a perfect edge on the knife, with a 25-degree angle guide on the ceramic rod on the flip side for finishing the job and for quick touch-ups. At $15, it’s an inexpensive way to ensure dad always has a sharp, safe knife. On second thought, if I got another one of these for Father’s Day, I wouldn’t turn it down.
3. Dry Bag
Keeping dad’s essential gear dry on the water or in the woods can be tricky. Those “waterproof” backpacks spring a leak at the most inopportune times, or the weather forecasters don’t always get it exactly right. Give dad the gift of peace of mind for Father’s Day with the Tuff Tote Dry Bag. The 15-liter model ($26) comes in hunter orange or red and the 30-liter model ($35) is available in black or white. Perfect for canoeing or kayaking, they also work great on the boat, beach, blind or back-country hike. Tuff Tote bags are class three waterproof and feature heat fusion sealed seams.
4. Boot and Glove Dryer
If dad did get caught in the rain, what better way to make sure his trip isn’t ruined by wet boots and gloves than hooking him up with a DRYGUY Force Dry DX combo boot/glove dryer ($80). Dad can get back to it quicker than ever because this dryer uses forced air and heating to dry gear in as little as an hour. Right out of the box it’s ready to dry two pairs of boots or gloves and the accessory lineup includes add-ons for helmets and waders. It also helps prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungus, and that in itself is really a gift everyone can appreciate.
5. Ozone Generator 
Speaking of odor, maybe your dad’s ride is like mine and can get a little “funky” from forgotten french fries or restaurant leftovers that never made their way to the refrigerator. ScentLok hit it out of the park with their new OZ20 model ($40) that plugs right into the vehicle’s 12V power source. It’s chemical and fragrance free, so instead of your dad’s rig smelling like Tommy Callahan’s armpits from the classic movie “Tommy Boy”, it won’t smell like anything at all. Perfect for the hunter, but also great for just about anyone who drives, or rides in a car or truck that has long since lost its new car smell. The ScentLok website warns ozone products are only intended for use in unoccupied spaces, but the eight-hour treatment cycle means you can plug it in at night and be breathing fresh air in the morning.
6. Flip-Top Vacuum Bottle
This one comes as a recommendation from another Grand View Outdoors editor who was sick of the crunch and noise of plastic water bottles. He’s a dad, and he loves it, so there you go. It’s the Microlite 500 Flip vacuum bottle ($26) from GSI Outdoors. Boasting 10 hours of heat retention and 20 hours of cold retention, whether dad prefers to sip on some hot brew or keep cool with ice-cold water, he’s covered. They’re available in a variety of colors, but we suggest orange for the gun deer hunter or black for the bowhunter.
7. Portable Mosquito Repeller
Give dad the gift of relief from constantly swatting at mosquitoes with the new MR450 Armored Portable Mosquito Repeller ($35) from Thermacell. This time of year, it’s tough to enjoy a barbeque or a round of backyard target practice when you’d rather take aim at those pesky mosquitoes, but this tricked out MR450 will keep the bugs at bay. Like other Thermacell models, it’s scent-free and DEET-free, but also features a rubber armored case, quieter ignition and a ZoneCheck LED that lights up when the unit is operating at full capacity. You might want to stock up on repellent mats and butane cartridges while you’re at it, as this is sure to become a staple for dad’s outdoor adventures.
8. Multi-Tool
I don’t trust the validity of a gift guide that doesn’t include some sort of multi-tool. And when I think of multi-tools, I think Leatherman. My favorite is the compact Skeletool ($60) for its lightweight seven tool combo that doesn’t pull my pants down when I hook it on my pocket. Available in classic stainless steel, blue or green finishes, you can also have the knife blade engraved if you order directly from the Leatherman website. I think every outdoorsman should have a multi-tool, but sometimes they're forgotten on the bumper of the truck when taking off your waders and get lost forever. Don’t ask how I know. And don’t let your dad be the only one without a multi-tool.
9. Jerky Kit
The folks at Hi Mountain Seasonings have put together a couple kits to get your dad started making his own delicious jerky. The Jerky Master kit ($44) includes a jerky gun with two nozzles for jerky sticks or strips, an industrial grade jerky screen and two packs of Hi Mountain jerky cure and seasoning. The Jerky King kit ($50) includes a knife and recessed cutting board for the perfect sliced jerky every time, a jerky screen and two cure and seasoning packs. So, whether your dad is a Master or a King, treat him right and maybe he'll treat you to some homemade jerky.
10. FREE Magazine Subscription
Here’s a gift idea that won’t break the bank, in fact, you don’t even have to break out your wallet. Hook your dad up with free 3-year subscriptions to Whitetail Journal, Bowhunting World and/or Predator Xtreme magazines. They’re packed with tips and tricks, incredible hunting stories, new products and they’re completely free! Once dad is signed up, it may take 6-8 weeks for his first issues to arrive, so you may want to pair this gift with one of the others listed above.
