Gifts for Hunters

Gifts for Hunters

Shopping for a hunter is a specific kind of shopping. They have opinions about their rifle, their scope, their calls, their decoys. Those aren't areas to meddle in. What McGuire sells is the stuff AROUND the gun — the layers, the pack, the gloves, the field kit that keeps them in the blind past the afternoon when the thermometer drops.

Military Surplus for Hunting

Military surplus crosses neatly into hunting gear. Army-issue wool was engineered for soldiers sitting still in freezing weather; it works the same way for a hunter in a tree stand before dawn. Service-issue camo came from the same material science as hunting camo and handles most temperate-forest environments. The ECWCS layering system (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System — the Army's standard for prolonged outdoor static work in winter) is one of the warmest hunting setups money can buy, and surplus pricing makes it reachable.

Hunting Gifts by Budget

• Under $25 covers the small practical stuff hunters go through every season: wool socks that stay warm when wet, a shemagh or a wool watch cap, an ammo can for shell storage that will outlast the shotgun it serves.
• Mid-range ($25–$75) is where the real winter layers live — the woobie (Army poncho liner, packable warmth that stuffs into any pack), base layers, insulated gloves, a boonie hat, a MOLLE or mag pouch for calls and spare shells (McGuire carries pouches in a range of sizes and colors).
• Over $75 is the heavy kit: an ECWCS parka, field pants, a quality military rucksack and authentic winter boots.

Three Generations in the Surplus Trade

McGuire has been in the surplus trade for three generations. Everything here is either genuine issue (actual military-contracted items), MIL-SPEC (manufactured to the exact military specification), or practical outdoor equipment that holds up. We're not trying to replace their Realtree or Sitka — we're selling the gear those brands don't make: the surplus wool, the bombproof ruck, the layering system the Army perfected for people sitting still when it's freezing out.

More Gift Ideas

If the hunter you're shopping for is outdoorsy in other ways, check Gifts for Campers & Backpackers if they hike to their hunting spot or Gifts for the Guy Who Has Everything for the cult-classic surplus items they won't know exist. If they also served, Gifts for Veterans covers the broader military-gift angle.

Shipping and Returns

Free shipping on contiguous US orders, no minimum; expedited shipping and Alaska/Hawaii options at checkout. Weekday orders placed before 1 p.m. Eastern go out the same day; everything else ships the next business day. 30-day returns if the fit or the item isn't right.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I buy a hunter who seems to have everything?

Skip the rifle accessories, the scopes, and the calls — those are areas they have strong opinions about already. Shop the layers and the gear instead. The woobie (Army poncho liner) is a reliable pick for almost any hunter, since most civilians don't own one and it packs down into any blind bag. Surplus wool socks and base layers. A quality military rucksack if their current one is falling apart. ECWCS cold-weather gear for late-season hunts. These are the areas where they're less likely to already have the perfect thing.

Is military surplus actually good for hunting?

Yes — in specific categories. Wool is some of the warmest, most durable natural-fiber clothing made, and it was engineered for people sitting still in the woods in winter, which is basically what a deer hunter does. Military packs are built to carry awkward loads over rough terrain. Military cold-weather systems (ECWCS) match or exceed anything commercial hunting brands make for winter use. Where surplus is NOT the answer: scent-controlled hunting-specific clothing, high-end optics, and species-specific camo patterns engineered for a particular quarry's vision.

Is military camo OK to hunt in?

For most hunting, yes. Woodland military camo blends into regular hardwood forests just fine — works for deer, turkey, or hog. Desert and Multicam patterns work in open or mixed terrain. For most hunters, military camo works. For a serious whitetail guy with a brand he's loyal to, stick with what he already uses.

What's the warmest layer for sitting in a blind for hours?

ECWCS — short for Extended Cold Weather Clothing System — is the Army's setup for soldiers who sit still in freezing weather for hours. That's basically what a hunter does. It's not one jacket; it's a stack of pieces (base layer, insulating mid-layer, outer shell) that combine depending on the day's temperature. Pair it with a woobie (Army poncho liner) thrown over the legs or shoulders for extra warmth without extra bulk.

What's the right budget?

Depends what they're missing. Under $25 covers the small gear hunters go through every season — a fresh pair of wool socks, a shemagh or watch cap, a mag pouch. Mid-range ($25–$75) is where the practical big-hit items sit: the woobie, base layers, an entrenching tool. Over $75 is where the real cold-weather system lives — an ECWCS parka, field pants, a quality rucksack, winter boots.

Can you ship it directly to them so it doesn't sit under my tree?

Yes. Enter a different shipping address at checkout and the package ships straight to them. Our shipments don't include gift notes, so if you want them to know the gift came from you, send a text when the tracking pings. If you want to gift wrap it, ship it to your own address first.

Do you sell gift cards if I can't decide?

Yes — both physical and digital. Digital gift cards deliver by email instantly, which helps if you're down to the last few days before hunting season opens or a holiday hits. Physical gift cards ship on our normal schedule. Either way, they pick what fits their specific hunt.