On the book list, four special publications of merit are at the top of the list. Gene S. Kira’s The Unforgettable Sea of Cortez is a great read for anyone who has a love of fishing and a desire to walk back into the exotic and "wonder" days of the beginning of Baha sportfishing. The book chronicles the life and publications of Ray Cannon in his 1966 book, The Sea of Cortez, as well as his 1000-plus columns in Western Outdoor News which introduced and set flame to the interests of "Norte Americano" sportfishermen. In 362 pages, illustrated with over 400 rare and historical photographs, Kira breathes new life into the tales of Baha that Cannon put to print so well. Like Capstick’s adventurous tales of hunting lions in Africa, The Unforgettable Sea of Cortez transports the reader into an exotic land and time. Available from Cortez Publications, P.O. Box 2806, Torrance, CA 90509-2806 or by calling (310) 371-4479. Another Kira novel composed of fiction, yet based on the facts of the birth of sportfishing in Baha, is the tremendous King of the Moon. I’ve found myself re-reading this book several times. If you like Hemingway, you’ll love Kira! Available from Apples and Oranges Press, P.O. Box 2296, Valley Center, CA 92082

James A. Swan’s The Sacred Art of Hunting is a great read packed with photos and illustrations of the myths, legends and the foundations of modern hunting. This is one of those books that must be on every hunter’s bookshelf. From Willow Creek Press, this book should be available from Barnes and Noble, B. Dalton, or any fine bookstore. And, Eric Jay Dolin and Bob Dumaine have published The Duck Stamp Story! For every waterfowler in the family, this 206-page book is a look-and-read treasure. Packed full of the history and conservation of the duck stamp program, this information is wrapped around the artwork of the actual stamps, which are themselves miniatures of fine art. Available in both soft and hard cover, this book will bring a smile to any hunter or birdwatcher. Published by Krause, you can order it by calling 1-800-258-0929.

Hardware of a hunting nature is sure to bring a smile to the outdoorsmen. Here are a few — from low-cost to bigger ticket items. Hi-Stepper from Lobo Outdoor Products is a very lightweight and compact device that slips snugly onto a three-corner post and allows anyone to easily and securely step-up-and-over the ripping barbs of a wire fence, thereby eliminating the tearing of skin and clothes trying to get between the strands. Mine is always in my fanny pack and I won’t go afield without it. I’ll never bleed or swear at a barbed-wire fence again. This is one GREAT product. Call Kurt Moler at 1-888-817-4265. Once again I will mention the Continuum2000+ flashlight. The compact LED light is excellent. With Lithium AA batteries it will provide up to 3 months of continuous light when left on. I just changed the batteries in mine after 14 months of daily use! Available from Premiere Electronic at 1-888-275-6374. Knives of Alaska produces a Cub, Super Cub folder, Light Hunter Skinner, and Brown Bear Skinning Cleaver, in singles and combination sets of two or three knives. These are some of the highest-quality, most useful knives I have ever had the pleasure to hold. They are not cheap, but they are worth more than what you will pay. Reach Knives of Alaska at 1-800-572-0980.

Lately a whole raft of seat-type backpacks have come upon the market. One of the best, and absolutely the most comfortable I have come across is the Pack-lounge from Little Big Horn Outdoors. This pack comes in a variety of camouflage patterns, and is both lightweight AND sturdy. The interior tubular-steel frame provides an extremely strong support, and the padded seat is both comfortable and large enough to keep your rump warm and dry on all edges. The pack and pockets are deep and wide for packing as much or as little as you wish. For turkey hunters who like to work the buck brush, this backrest-type pack takes away the need for a tree to lean against. This is a TOP-Pick! With the Pack-Lounge, duck hunters may either relax upright or recline in comfort. Call (606) 331-4120 or e-mail Orabbit1@aol.com.

Hunting camouflage gets no better than the pattern offered by Natural Gear. From deep woods to broken timber and on to sage country, I tried them all! A great "invisible man" look! This one pattern really covers the whole outdoors. I was impressed — so was the bobcat that tried to jump on my moving gun at 8 feet! He just couldn’t see me! I was one "vanished" hunter! Contact them at 1-800-590-5590. And as always, Smartwool socks. Absolutely the greatest, most comfortable and long-wearing outdoor sock available! They just don’t get any better than these. At Big R, Blackbird (ski shop) Mc Kenzie Outfitters, or call (425) 771-1249 for other locations. (Editor's Note: We found them at our local Birkenstock store.)

And for the shooter… Keng’s Firearms Specialty’s Versa-Pod is great. One universal hub attached at the sling point will allow quick change of either a super sturdy bi-pod or a telescoping mono-pod/walking stick. This combination, coupled with Keng’s ballistic fabric pad with bi-pod locking slot for prone shooting, is the finest lay-down, or stand-up shooting system I have come across. Call (404) 691-7611 for more information.

I hope this has given you a couple of good ideas for something to do with that Christmas money. These are all winners in my book.

THINK A GOOD THOUGHT!

Frank Medicine Wolf Springer