| shotgun or bow? Check. Ammo, sharp knife and | | | | * Nightvision rifle scope -- ATN Aries, one of the |
| binoculars? Check. Fluorescent orange vest, | | | | world’s largest lines of premium nightvision |
| camouflage clothing, sturdy boots and hunting | | | | scopes, offers a wide range of products |
| license? Check, check, check. | | | | calibrated for ultra-fast light transmission and |
| Gerald Forry has all the basics. An avid hunter and | | | | resolution. Splurging for yourself or that truly |
| fisherman from Mechanicsburg, Pa., Gerald has | | | | special hunter in your life? Check out their |
| bagged caribou, elk, bear, salmon and a variety of | | | | limited-edition ATN Aries MK-8900 Crusader |
| other fish and game over the past 66 years. | | | | Nightvision Riflescope, available in the $5,000 price |
| What he’d really like is a hunting trip to | | | | range. |
| Alaska. | | | | * Scent control camouflage clothing – |
| “That’s really the last of the great | | | | Head-to-toe ScentLok camo shirts, jackets, |
| hunting areas around.” | | | | gloves, pants and socks are a prominent item on |
| According to the International Association of Fish | | | | Fairfax, Va., hunting enthusiast Joel |
| and Wildlife Agencies’ 2001 Economic | | | | Hendelman’s “wish list.” |
| Importance of Hunting in America report, hunting | | | | The next-to-skin active charcoal technology helps |
| is big business, generating $25 billion in retail sales. | | | | minimize human odors, as it effectively wicks |
| More than 13 million Americans age 16 and older | | | | away moisture to keep you comfortable and dry. |
| were classified as hunters, and they spent an | | | | * Great Eight WallMural -- This easy-to-hang mural |
| average of $1,896 per year on their favorite | | | | (8 feet, 3 inches by 13 feet, 8 inches), offered |
| pastime. | | | | exclusively to Cabela’s by Hopkins, |
| Any hunter who knows his or her way around a | | | | Minn.-based Murals Your Way, features an |
| deer blind has all the fundamental gear and | | | | eight-point buck gazing serenely out of an autumn |
| equipment necessary for a rewarding day in the | | | | forest. “No matter where you live, you |
| woods. If you ask what they’d really like | | | | can turn a bare wall into a floor-to-ceiling snapshot |
| -- an indulgence that they might not normally | | | | from the deer woods, allowing you to relive great |
| treat themselves to -- the answers are as varied | | | | memories or dream of future ones.” says |
| as the hunting stories they tell. | | | | Eric Wieser, product manager/home furnishings |
| “Trail cameras, which allow hunters to | | | | for Cabela’s and a hunter since he was |
| scout for deer and other animals using film, digital | | | | legally old enough to carry a gun |
| or video cameras, are becoming more and more | | | | * High-end binoculars – While you can buy |
| popular each year,” said Chuck Smock, | | | | binoculars for as little as $9.99, veteran pheasant, |
| editor of Cabela’s Outfitter Journal | | | | turkey, duck and deer hunter Jim Bennett from |
| magazine. “When you work 40 or 50 | | | | Minnetonka, Minn., covets a pair of top-quality |
| hours a week, it’s hard to find enough | | | | binos. More expensive models in the $500 and up |
| time to scout. Now you can put out a trail | | | | range offer such features as high-performance |
| camera or two and leave the area undisturbed | | | | European optics, multicoated lenses, advanced |
| for a week or more. After retrieving the camera | | | | roof prisms, and ergonomically friendly designs. |
| -- or film, media card or video tape -- | | | | Tired of the headaches and strain associated with |
| you’ll know exactly what walked through | | | | a traditional neck strap? In his article in the April |
| your hunting area while you were working or | | | | 2006 issue of Petersen’s Hunting, writer |
| sleeping.” | | | | Bryce M. Towsley recommends a harness |
| Other hot “wish list” items for | | | | system with two straps that run over the |
| today’s avid hunter include: | | | | shoulders and nestle binoculars tight to the chest. |