Story by Bill L. Olson

This year’s list of gift ideas for hunters is a bit different than those in the past. The first difference is I am compiling selected items from long-term friends as well as new supporters worthy of your consideration.
Also added are my own reasoning as to why the selected products would be welcomed additions by any recipient plus ways in which they might be used. Our outdoor world continues to evolve and imaginative people respond to those changes with next generational products, plus some new ideas that will trigger an “off course” response.
Third Coast Thermal – NightRide
Night vision and thermal imagery products have captured the attention of any hunter that pursues and observes game during the dark of night. The advantage thermal imagery affords is its detection of the heat signature of game.
Clifford Cheadle of Third Coast Thermal has provided his expertise and insight into this every changing market the past several years. At first most of the products were oriented toward those mounted on firearms. Today the trend is toward observation with the ability to record what is seen. When it comes to game this can provide the ability to confirm quantities of game observed and quality of specific animals.
In today’s world there is the potential threat by those lurking in the dark for a number of reasons. This is certainly true near and along corridors leading away from the southern border. In other parts of the state it may be someone trespassing, poaching or looking to commit other crimes.
NightRide’s Scout line provides several models of thermal imagery detection. The remote controlled panning and tilting provides full and safe situational awareness. The Scout is affixed with a magnetic quick-mounted base and powered with a cigarette lighter adaptor. It automatically captures video and through Bluetooth is displayed on phone, tablet or computer.
Many hunters venture out at night as an extension of their daytime activities. This unit affords the ability to observe both four and two legged critters plus video tape for appropriate use at a later time.
For more information on the Scout lineup and other night vision and thermal imagery products visit thirdcoastthermal.com or call (713) 858-4826.
Slow Glow
Several years ago night hunting took on a new perspective when I was introduced to Slow Glow Hunting Lights. This Texas based and assembled lineup of light used to hunt wild hogs, exotic game animals and predators night hunting fun to a new level.
From its photo cell activated at dusk, motion detection cell that slowly brings illumination to 60 percent when movement is detected, to a remote that allows the light to be slowly brought to 100 percent of illumination serves as a light-alarm of activity. That’s when the hunt begins as a silent stalk to within an extremely close distance is made to animals drawn to feeders, water sources and other creative setups.
Not to rest on past success, Murray Choate the inventor of Slow Glow continues to create and meet the demands of hunters in Texas and beyond. Slow Glow’s new G3 builds on the success of its original model.
G3 easily switches between red or green light, and features two different lenses for a spot or flood beam pattern. A powerful rechargeable 12 volt feeder battery will run the light for several nights of hunting, or add a five watt solar panel to allow the light to run year round. For those that hunt with Night Vision, check out their infrared model IRG3.
The new SolR Pro paired with a Slow Glow Hunting Light is the ultimate combination. It features a powerful five watt solar panel and digital charge controller to keep the system running year-round. When in direct sunlight, the SolR Pro harnesses enough energy to run both a Slow Glow Light and a trail camera year round. The SolR Pro also features a digital voltmeter to monitor battery’s voltage, and provides a USB power port that serves as a charging station in the woods to charge phone, GoPro Camera, or other USB devices.
For more information visit slowglow.com or call (512) 828-6862.
Vortex Optics
It’s been almost two decades since Vortex Optics burst on the scene providing hunters with exceptional quality scopes, binoculars and other optics at affordable prices. Countless numbers of hunters have been drawn to this service oriented company and further endeared with its VIP warranty.
VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to their customer. They will repair or replace Vortex products in the event it becomes damaged or defective—at no charge to the customer. If they cannot repair the product, they will replace it with a product in perfect working order of equal or better physical condition.
It doesn’t matter how it happened, whose fault it was or where you purchased it. If there is ever a problem, no matter the cause, they promise to take care of their customers. The VIP Warranty is available on all Vortex Optics riflescopes, prism scopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes, tripods and monoculars.
Plus Vortex has an exceptional YouTube video support library to introduce as well as use all of their products. And that support library continues to grow.
The product lineup is too lengthy to go into detail here but you are encouraged to visit vortexoptics.com for any type of glass for any reason.
The Blynd
Drive any country road and when a black plastic vacuum-formed hunting blind is spotted you’ll immediately know it is The Blynd. It is the most iconic, highly recognizable and durable hunting blind that has been around since 1980 with over 75,000 made and original models still in use.
The Blynd continues a tradition of quality and today is built by Frank’s Manufacturing. The Blynd can be used as a ground enclosure or affixed on a tower. It comes in a 4’x4’ and 4’x8’ model and are affordable.
The ribbed UV-stablized polyethylene walls have preinstalled aluminum window tracks and door support. The 7”x29” window openings (four in the 4×4 model) provides ample visibility and protection from the elements.
The Blynd comes with assembly instructions and hardware. Two people with a cordless drill with a Phillips head bit can assemble it within 45 – 60 minutes.
Franks Manufacturing also sells quality accessory items that can be used in the Blynd or other hunting enclosures. The hunting chair is lightweight, stable and quiet. The shooting saddlebag is perfect to drape over the windowsill and will provide a quiet, solid rest from which to shoot.
Plus there are more models, improvements and innovations coming in 2022. Get to know these people at blynd.com or call (210) 492-3222.
Gun Mattress
This is one of those products when first scene you’ll slap your forehead and say, “Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?”
The Gun Mattress is a ribbed storage and protection matt that provides a logical place to place guns while keeping them easily accessible in the field. Many owners mount the Gun Mattress to the hood of their truck, SUV or Jeep — an area not normally utilized. Others affix it to the top of truck bed covers and in a variety of ways or locations on UTVs. It is available in four, six and eight gun models.
The durable fabric is available in 11 different colors plus it is soft and will not mar the bluing or coatings on rifles or shotguns. It has a sewn-in covering that can be snapped over firearms protecting them from weather as well as dust.
The Gun Mattress has an abundance of grommets as tie-points or use bungee cords to secure it in place. This makes for easy on – easy off attachment. Some owners admit to using the Gun Mattress as a shooting platform on the ground.
Hunters going after quail, deer, hogs, exotics, predators or any game should consider the Gun Mattress as logical firearm protection and storage. It beats the heck out of open model bolt on gun racks.
For more information visit gunmattress.com or call (956) 423-1885.
Fortified Cottonseed
While in a giving mood, consider giving to your deer herd. One of the most logical, cost effective and beneficial combinations of feeding protein rich cottonseed that is infused with a special vitamin package is the basis of the growing success stories by those feeding Fortified Cottonseed.
One of the most compelling stories is told by 2017 Lone Star Land Steward – South Texas Award Recipient John Sewall, ranch manager of the 18,000 acre Harris Ranch in Uvalde and Kinney Counties. Over the past 25 years Sewall has implement a number of initiatives that has enhanced habitat for whitetail deer and other wildlife. The deer herd began with bucks that carry 125-140 class antlers to those today that are not harvested until they reach 180 inches or better. And this is on a ranch classified as low-fence.
The Harris ranch manager explains within the past few years he has made a commitment to go from feeding protein to all-in feeding strictly Fortified Cottonseed. He says his feed cost today has shown a three-fold savings.
Sewall is not the only landowner or ranch manager admitting similar claims or savings on their feed bill. Plus the benefit to the deer herd is substantial as it helps bucks recover from the rigors of the rut, keeps doe in condition to carry to term fawns plus improved milk production. All of this comes from the advantage of limited intake.
Visit fortifiedcottonseed.com and watch their video story to learn more, or call (830) 279-6156 or (806) 724-5856. Fortified Cottonseed is available at all Tractor Supply locations.
Guides & Outfitters
My final suggestion is to give a hunting or fishing trip and spend some time afield or afloat with a family or a friend. The anticipation that builds before the trip is special by itself. The actual experience and camaraderie will provide stories that will last for years if not a lifetime regardless of what was or was not harvested.
This is truly the time of giving and as I’ve said countless times, the outdoors is our sanctuary to recharge and acknowledge all of the wild places God has created.
Merry Christmas to each of you.

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