A practical and affordable gift guide for dads who hunt 

Father’s Day is quickly approaching and it’s time to start thinking about some of the most important men in your life. While Hanes socks and Fruit of the Loom underwear always make a useful gift, maybe it’s time to put a little more thought into our gifts. As a new father myself, I’ve come to respect the fathers in my life more and more and cherish the time I get to spend with them. This feeling only multiplies year after year. Let’s make this Father’s Day special and put a little more thought and effort into our gifts. It’ll never repay the money spent on us as their kids but it’ll for sure make their day!

Considering this is the Okayest Hunter blog, I’m going to present the Okayest Father’s Day Gift Guide. That doesn’t mean the gifts are subpar or are mediocre. This is a gift guide that preaches affordability and useability simultaneously while also focusing on the outdoor dads in your life. You won’t find any $2,000 crossbows or overly expensive gun safes on this list, but what you will find is thoughtful, useful gifts that any outdoorsman could afford. So, if you looking for something to gift your outdoorsman father this holiday, look no further!

Camp Cookware

As outdoorsman, we spend a lot of time outside and at the campsite. This means that we cook and eat a majority of our meals outdoors. If you’ve done this enough times, you understand how valuable good outdoor cookware is. Sure, you could go the cheap route and get by, but having good quality cookware can change the whole outdoor cooking experience. If your father would love some new outdoor cookware, I recommend checking out the outdoor cookware from Gerber. It’s high-quality design and build will allow dad to cook the best camp meals for his family for years to come!

New Game Call

Does your dad still have the same old grunt call and turkey calls sitting in his cabinet? You know, the ones that were sitting in their when you were a kid. Sure, they may still sound good, but every outdoorsman likes the look and feel of something new. This is why a new game call makes the perfect gift on this Father’s Day. Check out Weathered Oak Game Calls for your deer and turkey hunting needs. Plus, if you dad calls in one of his harvest with his new call, you can take some of the credit!

Outdoor Apparel

Everybody loves to represent their favorite brands, and this goes double for outdoorsmen! How many Mossy Oak hoodies or Bass Pro Shops hats do you see being worn at your local Wal-Mart? I’m sure it’s more than you can count! And I’d be willing to bet that if you dad is an outdoorsman, he has some a brand that he would love to rep. Get him some of his favorite outdoor apparel. If that brand happens to be the Okayest Hunter, you can shop their apparel here!

Preference Point to a New State

This is definitely an outside of the box idea for a Father’s Day gift, but it is one that I’ve started practicing the last few years. It’s no secret that hunting opportunities out west are getting more expensive and harder to come by. If you are going to go on a trip like this, you need to plan years ahead. If your dad has always wanted to hunt out west, start by buying him a preference point to a new state. There is a pile of options out there when it comes to destination and target species. This makes this gift even more fun. I will preface this idea by saying that there is a fair amount of research and due diligence involved here, but it could set your father up with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Gift to Tell More Hunting Stories

If your dad’s idea of a trophy is a rack with a story, then Rack-Hub is the perfect gift. Their mount systems make it easy to display antlers from past seasons without drilling into the skull plate, just twist, tighten, and relive the memory. Whether it’s an antler from the back 40 or a once-in-a-lifetime hunt, Rack-Hub helps Dad showcase his success with pride and simplicity. It’s one of those gifts that hits the sweet spot between practical and meaningful, and looks dang good on the wall.

Heated Hunting Gear

I always joke with my dad and father-in-law about the fact that as they get older, the harder it gets for them to brave the cold. Well luckily for us, we live in the 21st century and don’t have depend on layer of layer of clothes for warmth. Heated hunting gear has changed the game when it comes to braving the elements. If you want to get your pops some heated huntinggear, I recommend checking out Muddy’s line of Nucleus Heated gear. They offer a whole lineup of clothes and accessories that are powered by rechargeable batteries. The clothes and accessories are well made and won’t break the bank. 

For the Dad Who Can’t Wait to Raise a Little Hunting Buddy: Okayest Hunter's Zippy Romper

If dad’s already planning their first trip to deer camp together, this one’s a no-brainer. The Okayest Hunter Zippy Romper is the perfect gift for new or soon-to-be dads who want to pass down the hunting tradition starting in the nursery.

Made from ultra-soft, breathable bamboo, it’s cozy enough for nap time and rugged enough for baby’s first backyard scouting mission. Plus, the full-length zipper and fold-over cuffs make diaper changes and midnight wiggles a little less chaotic.

Camo meets comfort in this dad-approved onesie built for the next generation of okayest hunters.

Why it’s a win:

• Buttery soft and breathable bamboo fabric

• Two-way zipper = less diaper drama

• Fold-over mitts + foot cuffs = built-in versatility

• Midwest camo vibes for mini hunters

Because real dads match their camo with their kids.

Soft-Sided Cooler

Every man that spends significant time in the outdoors understands the value of a good cooler. I’ve spent a good majority of my life using cheap, poorly-made coolers and never thought much of it, but when I finally got my hands on a better product, I never looked back. Get your dad a new cooler this Father’s Day. I recommend the soft sided cooler from Half Rack. Whether it’s hauling food and drinks for an evening on the water or packing out meat on a western excursion, this cooler gets the job done.

Father’s Day is a special day. It’s the day that we celebrate the made that turned us into the people we are today. All of the gifts mentioned above are a great way to show your love and gratitude, but don’t forget that sometimes the best thing we can give them is our time. Happy Father’s Day!

 Will Bowen, Okayest Hunter Contributor