Cooking – Man Can Outdoors

Man Can Holiday Gift Guide for 2018

The holiday season is upon us and that means you’re either looking for the perfect gift for your outdoorsman, or you’re a hunter and angler hoping to provide a subtle hint to friends and family members by sharing this list of the the best outdoor gifts for the 2018 season.

We’ve compiled this list and categorized items by cost, selecting the absolute best gift ideas available this season. Tracking down the ideal gift for your outdoor adventurer can often be tough as most they are highly selective when it comes to their gear.

Don’t worry. We’ll make sure your outdoorsman is just as excited to find their gift under a tree as they will be to carry it with them into a tree, or on the water.

1. Magazine Subscription – This gift idea is often overlooked, but is guaranteed to be something that continues to put a smile on your outdoorsman’s face each month for a year or even two if you want. Most outdoor magazines are surprisingly affordable and make great stocking stuffer ideas. One of our favorites is Game & Fish magazine, which produces state-specific editions for anywhere in the country. The best news? A one-year subscription costs less than $10.

2. Wild Game Cookbook – We at Man Can Outdoors are just as enthusiastic about preparing our catches and kills in a tasty cuisine as we are for the preparation, thrill of the chase and the harvest. Get that special someone on your list a wild game cookbook and they might just invite you over for dinner later on.

Check out some of our Man Can Cook articles and videos and you’ll see that the best way to cap off a successful hunt is to prepare a delicious meal. Hunt, Gather, Cook: Finding the Forgotten Feast by Hank Shaw is a must-have for any outdoorsman’s bookshelf.

3. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter – Having fresh water is essential and can come through as a lifesaver in some situations in the great outdoors. The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is a sleek, easy-to-use water filtration system that is easily one of the most important items on our list. The LifeStraw removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and even exceeds EPA water filter standards. This item is perfect for the hardcore adventurer or the casual outdoorsman.

4. Goal Zero Solar Charger – Getting to some of the best hunting or fishing spots sometimes requires us to go off the grid. A solar charger is a great way to keep your gadgets charged. From keeping a daily log on your laptop to making sure your phone is charged so you can capture that perfect photo right when you need it, a solar charger is a handy tool for any modern outdoorsman. Goal Zero makes some of the most reliable chargers on the market.

5. Gerber Controller Filet Knife – No angler’s arsenal is complete without a proper filet knife. The Gerber Controller is an 8-inch workhorse a workhorse among filet knives. The HydroTread Grip™ helps you keep a hold on things despite slime and wetness while cleaning your catch. The knife’s custom-fit sheath comes with a built-in sharpener that makes it ready to cut at a moment’s notice.

6. Bubba Blade Fishing Pliers – A high-quality set of fishing pliers is invaluable for serious anglers. The Bubba Blade Fishing Pliers features everything you need for safety and control and is able to cut, crimp and pull any and everything. These pliers come with a lanyard and sheath for quick and easy access.

7. The Browning Jackson Carry-On Travel Pack – To the average person, the many nooks and crannies in a quality outdoor backpack might never be utilized, but serious hunters and anglers can visualize just how they will fit every piece of gear inside those compartments. Having a good backpack is essential to moving with speed and efficiency.

Packing everything into a compact, waterproof backpack will keep your gear dry and allow for quick, easy access. The Browning Jackson Carry-On Travel Pack is an ideal choice for any adventurer.

8. Wild River Tackle Tek Frontier Tackle Bag – This compact tackle bag is easy to take anywhere and serves as an angler’s one-stop fishing shop. With a bright, LED light system mounted on the handle, you’ll never have to fumble around with a flashlight in hand while you tie on baits or unhook your catch. With waterproof pockets and plenty of compartment space, this tackle bag is our top choice for the 2018 season.

9. SHIMANO Curado DC – Our list of the best gear items of 2018 would not be complete without the year’s hottest fishing reel, the SHIMANO Curado DC. This reel features the best in anti-backlash technology, Shimano’s new Digital Control braking system which utilizes a microcomputer to monitor spool speed 1,000 times every second. This reel is ideal for anglers of all experience levels and is available at many fishing retail stores and websites.

10. GoPro Hero7 – Capture your catch and harvest with the latest in compact camera technology with professional 4K HD video quality. The GoPro Hero7 is waterproof and voice-controlled, making it easy to use in a variety of outdoor situations. With live-streaming capabilities, this compact camera is perfect for capturing all of your outdoor adventure footage and photos.

Man Can Cook Series: Beer Battered Fish

Enjoy my latest entry on Man Can Cook about Beer Battered Fish. Directions below.

INGREDIENTS

8 (4 ounce) fillets cod
salt 2 teaspoons
1 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons
Cajun Seasoning 2 tablespoons
paprika 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 egg, beaten 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil to 350 degrees F . Rinse and dry fish.
Combine flour, cajun seasoning, paprika, 2 teaspoons salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper. Stir egg into dry ingredients. Slowly mix beer into flour to get a pancake thickness.
Dip fish into the batter, covering it. Then add fish to the oil and flip over halfway cooking. It takes 3-5 minutes.

Man Can Cook Series: Coconut Fried Fish

Below is the second in a series of Man Can Cook videos, and it is on coconut fried fish. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

1 egg
2 Tablespoons pineapple juice
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut, more as needed
10 grouper filets
Vegetable or Peanut Oil

DIRECTIONS

Heat your fryer grease to 350 degrees F.
Make you wash by adding one egg and pineapple juice. Beat eggs and mix juice.
Clean your fish with water and pat dry.
Cover fish with pineapple wash.
Cover fish generously with coconut dry batter.
Lay the fish in the fryer.
Cook them for 3-5 minutes or until they float.

Man Can Cook Series: Pan Seared Wahoo Steaks

Below is the first in a series of Man Can Cook videos, and it is on pan seared wahoo steaks. Enjoy!

Ingredients
* 4 wahoo steaks
* 1/2 cup Olive Oil
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice

* 2 tablespoons paprika
* 1 tablespoon lime juice
* 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper season
* 1 pinch of crushed chili pepper flakes
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon pepper
* Pat of butter

DIRECTIONS
1. Make you marinade, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lime juice and cayenne pepper in a bowl.
2. Clean your wahoo with water and pat dry.
3. Cover fish with marinade.
4. Add pat of butter and heat cast iron
5. Lay the fish in the skillet, add pepper flakes to fish steaks.
6. Cook them for 15-20 minutes flipping halfway.

Hungry Heathro’s Hobo Dinners

Growing up in the country, one fond childhood memory is going camping with your friends and family. This blog entry is a first in a series about Man Can’s pro staff camping/fishing trip to Johns Mountain. On our exciting adventure to the great outdoors, we experienced the elements of June in Georgia. To build our strength and promote moral, I had to exceed expectations of campfire cuisine and go beyond the average hot dog over a fire.

Prior to the trip, Man Can Team Member Donny acquired a pound of ground Elk for our trip. I took the liberty to plan an epic meal in the style of a traditional Silver Turtle or Hobo Dinner for our quest in the great outdoors. Stopping at the local grocery, we picked up my ingredients for my culinary concoction. Small golden potatoes, a bell pepper, a yellow onion, mushrooms, salt, pepper, aluminum foil, butter and Worcestershire sauce filled our shopping buggy.

Once we entered the campground, we all had our specific jobs that included meal prep, fire building and tent erecting.

I took the charge of the meal prep. First, dicing each vegetable in small quarter inch size and placing them to the side, I then began to seasoned the elk meat with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. I continued my prep by rolling out two feet of heavy duty aluminum foil. I divided a third of the meat and placed it on the bottom, and then layered a third of the vegetables. I topped with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and two generous pats of butter. I folded over the foil and closed the edges by rolling them up to keep the heat and flavor within the pack.

I placed the foil pack to the edge of the fire that was built by Man Can staffer Josh Karr and let it cook and simmer in the butter, spices and sauce. One hour later the veggies and meat were cooked to perfection. With tongs, we removed our individual packaged meals and dump them in our plate. The camp was quiet with content as we devour our savory and juicy meals. We all fell asleep with a full stomach that night. For my recipe, look below.

Hungry Heathro’s Hobo Dinners

Ingredients

Onion Yellow

Bell Pepper

8 small mushrooms

1 small bag of small yellow potatoes

Half a bottle of worchestershire sauce

Salt 3 teaspoon

Pepper 3 teaspoon

3- 2 foot pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil

1 lb of ground elk or lean meat

Stick of Butter

Directions

Dice all veggies.

Season with sauce and spices.

Place meat on ½ of foil.

Add veggies on top of meat.

Add more sauce and spices.

Add two big pats of butter.

Fold foil and roll edges

Add to edge of roaring fire.

Cook One hour.

Remove carefully with tongs and enjoy.

Yields 3 Dinners.

Note: Please be careful. Foil packs are extremely hot.

Outdoorsman’s Christmas Gift Ideas

It is so hard to buy for the Outdoors person in your life. The Man Can Outdoors writers brainstormed what an outdoors enthusiast would want for Christmas. After a few conversations, we came up with a top Here is a quick rundown.

Gift Card to Cabela’s, Bass Pro or any outdoor store is always a safe bet but is not as a personal as actual gear.
Fishing Line, lures or Hooks are essential for every angler and make a great stocking stuffer. Take a sneak peek into his tackle bag for size or style.
Ammo can be another great stocking stuffer. Go to your local gun shop if you know what he carries in the woods.
Filet knifes or skinning knifes are great mid-grade gift ideas. A quality knife can help any outdoor adventure.
Guided Hunting or Fishing Trip is a higher end gift but several outfitters offer black Friday or holidays deals to get people introduced to their service.
Boots/Boat shoes/Wading shoes are another mid-grade gift that outdoors folks will be very grateful to receive.
Sunglasses are essential for any outdoor activity and could be a stocking stuffer to premium gift depending on brand.
Headlamp/Flashlights are always needed for fishing and hunting, and your outdoorsman could never have too many.
Binoculars are used in sight fishing and hunting. They will be a great midrange gift for your outdoorsman.
Raingear is a great gift idea for your outdoorsman. A lot of times, we do not think about the elements and where a simple poncho.
Broad heads for the archer in your life make another great stocking stuffer.
Camo helps the hunter blend with outdoors during his adventure. Check out his closet for his preferred style.
Hats/Beanies/facemask are great idea for a stocking stuffer. The elements are the outdoorsman’s greatest foe at times.
Fishing Shirts with UV protection are essential for your angler. The sun can damage their skin and cause skin cancer and uv-rated fishing shirts are a great solution.
Cover Scents to help your hunter stalk their trophies is another great idea.
Calls for any wildlife that your hunter stalks make a wonderful smaller gift idea.
Tumblers are very popular with outdoorsmen. From keeping their coffee hot or adult beverage cold, they are an awesome gift.
Licenses and Preferences Points help outdoorsmen do what they love legally. If you are bold enough, get them a lifetime license.
Books on fishing, survival and hunting make great gifts for your avid outdoors reader.
Cast Iron Cooking Ware for those camping adventures will make a great gift that will be used for years as the cast iron ages well with time.

As a bonus, I also listed what the Man Can Outdoor writers wanted for Christmas. May our wish lists be a guide to help you shop for your outdoorsman.

Donny

Lew’s Lazer Carbon RZ Casting Combo – All fishermen are always looking to add another rod and reel to their arsenal. This baitcasting rig can be purchased for around $100 at most big outdoor retailers. the Lazer Carbon RZ comes with the latest magnetic casting brake system to prevent backlash and birds nests. This rod and reel combo is perfect for any angler.
Pair of Waders – After trout fishing on a few rivers in the Chattahoochee National Forest this summer, I quickly learned the value of a good pair of waders. While the cool mountain water is refreshing in the month of July, it can put a damper on all-day fishing trips. You can actually find a decent pair of waders online at Cabela’s or Bass Pro for fairly cheap. Some are even as low as $15.
Case Lightweight Hunter Fixed-Blade Knife – This hunting knife if perfect for any big game hunter. The blade is 4-inch stainless steel, and fixed with a gut hook for field-dressing animals. This quality knife is one that would last a lifetime, and can be purchased for under $50.
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp – This headlamp is one that can be used in all outdoor scenarios, from finding your stand before daylight on a cool autumn morning to night fishing, or even camping. This light is equipped with 3 LEDs for 350 lumens, which is bright enough to light up any nighttime activity. The headlamp is also waterproof, and features 3-color RGB mode. This headlamp is usually priced at around $45.
Lowrance Hook-4x Mid/High Sonar – This is a quality sonar fish-finder that can be found for just over $100. The Lowrance Hook-4x has brilliant, high-resolution color display on a 4-inch screen. This model combines CHIRP Sonar with Downscan Imaging technology to help anglers distinguish between structure, baitfish, and those lunkers that hangout deep below the surface.

Heath

Dexter Outdoors UC133-8-WS-1 PCP Dexter-Russell Flexible Fillet Knife with Moldable Handle & Sheath, 8″ – This fishing filet knife is ideal for the angler in your life. I prefer items that custom fit and the moldable handle makes each knife a perfect fit for their owner.
Columbia Men’s Bahama Vent PFG Slip-On Boat Shoes – A pair of non-slip boat are essential for your angler to keep them on his feet without marking their boat. The Omni-Grip: non-marking rubber outsole is specifically designed for wet surfaces with razor siping.
Rebel Wee Crawfish – I use this lure for trout, bass and panfish. It can work as topwater or diving crankbait. This lure in red is deadly in my small lake, and I have gotten stringers upon strings of shellcracker off one.
SF Fly Fishing Landing Soft Rubber Mesh Trout Catch and Release Net – A rubber net works great to catch and release trout without harm and rubber also does not catch those pesky thrown hooks.
Outdoor Gourmet Deluxe Fryer Stand – For low country boils, chili cook-offs, turkey frying and fish fries, you will need a good propane fryer. I have used outdoor gourmet for years and I need a spare one now.

I hope all the suggestions help you out this holiday season while shopping for your love ones.

Category: Cooking