#SD Task: Med Alert

[irreverent-dobermans]

There are times when, even out of vest, my SD (or my mother’s) have alerted to people around us. Because they are offering a Task or Alert for someone that is not their handler, I have taken to calling this ‘Freelancing’.

One of the most interesting of these Freelancing moments was Boom (the Mal) alerting in the middle of a Temperament Test at an AKC Event. He worked the course but kept alerting to the judge (who has a med alert dog of her own, but he was not in the immediate area at the time). It was little things (not full on pawing or prolonged contact), because he was on task with his primary handler, not vested and he doesn’t freelance as willingly as Sinatra will; but there were repeated looks and indications, as well as some offered tasking (positioning for bracing etc between test elements). When the test was over and we were talking to the judge, she commented on the behavior and when it was mentioned he was Med Alert, both Judges lit up with the realization. She went off to test, confirmed the indication and addressed her medical situation, and thanked us later when she saw us around the event.

[rockettransman]

That's cool. So does he guide you when you run? Bc you are vision impaired?

I’m glad you asked this question, because nope! I’m not visually impaired, actually. Atlas is primarily a psychiatric service dog who knows a few light mobility tasks to help me cope during dizzy spells and blackouts. (Will be explained below)

Service dog rant coming uuppp

It’s a common misconception that service dogs are only for the blind, deaf, or physically disabled, when in fact there are many different kids of service dogs. There are service dogs for veterans and civilians with PTSD, diabetic alert dogs, seizure alert dogs, autism service dogs, service dogs for people with TBIs (traumatic brain injury), and medical alert service dogs who help with a wide range of medical condition(s) from heart problems to chronic pain and fatigue to gastroparesis and fibromyalgia.

Someone can qualify for a service dog if only their diagnosis warrants a disability. You can have POTS or autism and cope okay throughout the world, your condition not making you disabled. You can have depression and anxiety but not have it impact one or more daily activities or ways of functioning. 

In my case, my conditions have been diagnosed by a doctor, and I have been declared disabled by them. It took years of meds and therapy and hospitalizations and my health to keep backsliding despite all that until a service dog was introduced. The general consensus in the SD community is that SDs really should be a last resort. Atlas has given me so much independence, but the attention you receive from the public is insane and incessant. People are rude. They will stare, point, scream, bark at you, take pictures of you, harass you about the legitimacy of your sickness, ask if you really need a service dog when you look so healthy. You’re too young to be sick! People will ask you the same goddamn questions over and over again when you just wanted to go into the store and buy some milk. People will say CAN I PET?? while rushing you and practically cornering you and your dog to pet them. “Oh, is that a Labrador? Aww, let me tell you all about MY pet Lab we had for ten years before he died last Sunday. I’m sure you have ten minutes to sit and wait while I talk your ear off.” Service dogs are not the right option for everyone due to the attention and obnoxious behavior from the public. From full grow ass adults, especially.  

It’s not just all fun and games. It’s not like I get to “bring my dog everywhere because I miss him.” Atlas is legally classified as medical equipment. He is task-trained to mitigate my disabilities. I rely on him for my safety and well-being everywhere I go. I should also state that Atlas would not work if he didn’t love it. It’s common to think that service dogs are our slaves and they work from sun up to sun down with no breaks or play time. This is completely false! Trust me, Atlas gets plenty of love and affection and play time and fun. Working, like most dogs, is so intrinsically rewarding to him. If he didn’t like his job, he would’ve told me long ago, and I would’ve washed (removed from service work) him.

As far as what Atlas does for me, he does a lot of things. My disabilities are mostly psychiatric conditions that cause flashbacks, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, dissociation, fatigue, and confusion. These can warp into physical symptoms like dizziness and tunnel vision and nausea. Going out to a lot of places is difficult to do alone because I never know if I’ll be triggered by something. He alerts to physiological signs (HR and BP [we think, it may be a fluke alert]) and physical things I do that prelude an episode, interrupts destructive behaviors, and he breaks my hands from my face and lays across my body to ground me when an episode is in full swing. When I do have an episode, I’m not aware of my surroundings or cognizant of what I’m doing. He keeps me safe by informing me that I’m getting worked up, and when I can find a safe place, he lays across my lap and licks my face to bring my blood pressure down and keep me grounded. 

He also provides crowd control, meaning he will place his body in front of behind me to give me a physical barrier from other people. We’re in the process of teaching him to guide me to a chair if I need to sit down but I’m too out of it to do so.

When I am feeling dizzy or tunnel-visiony, it’s helpful for him to close open doors and pick things off the ground so I don’t have to bend down or risk my BP bottoming out. (I’ve only ever passed out once, but I don’t want to risk it happening again)

Here’s a video demonstrating some of these tasks! We were just practicing so it’s not perfect, but yeah. If you ever have any questions about service dogs or anything always hit me up! I love talking about them :))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1noy07wYB4&t=7s

[the-disreputable-service-dog]

Unpopular Opinion

Task shopping doesn't really bother me. Psychiatric service dog tasks aren't super well known. I didn't know I could be helped by a SD until I started hearing examples of what other SD's do and examples of tasks. I wasn't dog savvy. I never thought to teach a dog blocking or DPT or alerts. I never realized how much I could utilize a SD until other people broadened my horizons. To me, that's like when I was prescribed BP meds for my nightmares/ptsd. They helped treat my ptsd/panic/anxiety disorders but that's not the "labeled use" of em. Hopefully that makes sense?

[lakotasafeco-blog]

20 GIFT IDEAS FOR HUNTERS

20 GIFT IDEAS FOR HUNTERS WHO: LAKOTASAFECOMPANY.COM   WHERE: WINTER GARDEN, FL It’s that time of year when shoppers will be picking up gifts for family and friends.  https://www.lakotasafecompany.com/20-gift-ideas-for-hunters/ ‎ At the end of this article, our Editor will list his top picks for that special Christmas present for your father, mother, son, daughter, grandchildren or just a gift for yourself. Source: Shooting Sports Retailer - By Zach Bowhay -  November 18, 2019

Vortex Diamondback 10x42 HD 1. All-Purpose Binoculars  Every hunter needs a good set of binoculars, and the new Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 ($280) is a sweet set that won’t break the bank. With a nice rubber armored ergonomic feel and only weighing in at 21.3 ounces, the Diamondbacks are a joy to carry and use in the field. The lenses are multi-coated to increase light transmission, and the multi-layer coating on the prisms help provide clear and crisp images. The Diamondbacks are also tripod compatible, and they come with the Vortex Glasspack harness included ($30 value) so the hunter always has a secure way to carry and store their binos.

Phone Skope 2. A Handy Phone Skope Nearly every hunter nowadays heads into the field with two things in tow: optics of some sort and a smart phone. Luckily, there will be no need to tell people of the one that got away when you can show them a picture. For years the folks at Phone Skope have been making cases that go on a smartphone, making it easy to attach to optics, so hunters can bring home great pictures. Most of the cases retail for around ($58), and they make them for nearly any optic or phone you can imagine.

Yeti Loadout Go Box 3. A Tough Gear Case  One thing hunters always seem to have plenty of is expensive gear. Many times that gear includes small items like optics, cameras, GPS units and more, and having a secure way to carry all of that stuff can often be troublesome. Your shoppers already know about Yeti coolers, and now Yeti has decided to address the issue mentioned above with its Loadout Go Box ($250). With measurements of approximately 20.5x15x11 inches, the nearly indestructible Go Box has plenty of room to securely carry a hunter’s most prized gear to and from the field.

Leatherman Rebar 4. A Functional Multi-Tool Hunters and outdoorsmen never know what problems may arise in the field, and one of the best ways to be prepared is to have a quality multi-tool. The name Leatherman has for years been a huge player in this space and with great products like the Rebar ($70), it is easy to see why. Weighing 6.7 ounces, measuring 4 inches long and made from stainless steel, the Rebar puts 17 tools at a hunter’s fingertips, ready to take on nearly any task they can throw at it.

Benchmade Bugout 5. A Really Good Knife  Related: Bolt-Action Hunting Rifles for 2019 One product that a hunter should never be without is a quality knife. The Bugout ($140) from Benchmade is a great hunting blade or everyday carry for any hunter or outdoorsman or woman. With an attractive blue handle and classic drop point blade made from S30V steel, this knife is both stylish and ultra effective as a cutting tool. Weighing a mere 1.85 ounces with closed length of 4.22 inches, this knife is barely noticeable in the pocket. However, it opens to a nice 7.46-inch-long length when ready to use. The bugout also comes standard with Benchmade’s Axis locking mechanism and has a nice clip to keep it in place when carried in a pocket.

Sig Sauer Kilo 1400 BDX 6x20mm 6. A Trustworthy Rangefinder  Every hunter needs a rangefinder, and it is hard to go wrong with any option from the Sig Sauer line. The Kilo 1400 BDX 6x20mmis a great value at only $300. Weighing only 5 ounces, measuring 3.9x 2.9 inches, and ranging reflective targets out to 1,600 yards and deer to 750 yards, this little gem does a lot, without adding bulk in the field. The Kilo 1400 has Line of Sight mode (LOS), Angle Modified Range (AMR) as well as Applied Ballistics Ultralight (ABU), which shows ballistic data in MIL or MOA. Lastly, it is covered with Sig Sauer’s Infinite Guarantee.

Rugid Xtreme 48-inch Rifle Case 7. A Durable Case  An often-overlooked item by hunters is a great gun case to protect our firearm while being transported to and from the field. The Rugid Xtreme 48-inch rifle case ($140) will fill this void nicely. Made from a durable 500d waterproof pvc exterior and a 7/8-inch foam padding, the case will protect your gun from being knocked around. Not only is it waterproof, but it also floats. On the outside of the case is a waterproof pocket big enough for a wallet, cell phone or other small items. On the back, there are two tie down straps for securing the case to an ATV/UTV or anywhere else a hunter sees the need.

Garmin GPSMAP 66i 8. A Reliable GPS  If your shopper isn’t opposed to spending a little more cash, a great new product to consider is the new GPSMAP 66i ($600) from Garmin. This is not only a top-of-the-line GPS, but it’s also a satellite messenger. The 66i comes preloaded with Garmin TopoActive mapping for North and Central America. In addition, the hunter will be able to keep in touch with his or her loved ones from anywhere through two-way messaging. For easy texting, simply Bluetooth the device to a smart phone and text as normal. If an emergency ever arises, the hunter has the option of the SOS button, which will alert emergency services to their exact location.

Worksharp Guided Field Sharpener 9. An Always-Useful Knife Sharpener  Between field-dressing, butchering and general-use chores, hunters are constantly dulling their knives. Problem is, it’s always been difficult to sharpen a knife in the field without negatively affecting the blade. Enter the Worksharp Guided Field Sharpener ($30). The guides on this sharpener help keep the blade angle correct throughout the process. This little tool has a lot on board, with two diamond plates (220 grit coarse, 600 grit fine), a three-position ceramic rod with coarse grit, fine grit and fish hook honing side, and last but not least ,a leather strop. Overall, it is just a great piece for any outdoorsman to have in their kit.

Double Bull Surroundview 360 10. An Invisibility Cloak  OK, a ground blind is not exactly a cloak, but every hunter deserves one of these, because they are just that cool. It will only take one look once you step inside to understand what I mean. The Double Bull Surroundview 360 ($500) is one of the most innovative products to hit the hunting market in years. Walls are constructed with one-way see-through material, meaning you can see all around your blind with no blind spots, but the animals cannot see in. The dimensions of the blind are 60x60x70 inches and it weighs 23 pounds with the bag. Shooting is done via the 180-degree full front window or through five shoot-through ports. The windows have silent slide closure for quiet opening and closing.

Browning BXR Deer Ammunition 11. Accurate Ammo Before any of us head into the field, we need some good ammunition. Browning Ammunition has some great offerings in their BXR DEER ($25-30) line. The BXR deer is designed for use on deer- and antelope-sized game. The matrix tip is great for downrange velocity, high energy and rapid expansion. It’s currently available in .243 win, .270 Win, .270 WSM, .30-06, 30-30, .300 win mag, .300 WSM, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7MM Rem Mag and 7MM-08 Rem. Browning also has ammunition for those after bigger or smaller game as well.

Carbon Express Maxima Red SD12. 12. Consistent Arrows Speaking of ammo, bowhunters can always use some as well. The new Maxima Red SD ($110) from Carbon Express is both stylish and functional. Each Maxima red SD is laser checked to 1/10,000th of an inch, and they are weight sorted to +/-1.0 grains. One unique feature is these arrows have a stiffer front end to keep the front of the arrow from flexing too drastically, helping broadheads shoot more consistently. The Maxima Red SD arrows have a .203 inside diameter, which helps reduce wind drift, and they are available in spines of 250 (8.3gpi), 350 (9.4 gpi) and 450 (11.1 gpi). Related: Making a Case for Cases

Rage Hypodermic NC 13. Super-Sharp Broadheads  Most every bowhunter knows about Rage Broadheads, but they may not know about the new Hypodermic NC ($50). With a machined stainless steel ferrule, Hybrid hypodermic tip, two-blade design and 2-inch cutting diameter, the NC looks similar to the Rage from years past but with one exciting new feature. The NC stands for No Collar blade lock, where the blades simply lock up into place and do not need to be held in place with any sort of a collar. Once the blades have been deployed, they simply slide back up and clicked into place and they are ready to go.When it comes to specific archery gear like arrows and broadheads, be sure your shopper knows the exact specs of the hunter they’re buying for, to make sure the purchase makes sense with their existing setup. Otherwise, you’ll need to have a good return policy!

Rinehart Targets 1/3 Scale Woodland Elk 14. A Lifelike 3-D Target 3-D targets, especially the big ones like elk, moose and caribou, can be expensive. The folks at Rinehart Targets made it possible to bring a bull elk to everyone’s backyard with the 1/3 Scale Woodland Elk ($200). Their claim is the target is anatomically reduced to 1/3 the scale of a 600-pound bull elk, making 20-yard shots equivalent to 60-yard shots in the field. I am not sure if that is the case, but this target has a realistic look and is fun to shoot. It’s made from a Solid FX self-healing foam and has a replaceable foam insert. The target measures 38x44 inches.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .9 Medical Kit 15. A Life-Saving Med Kit Regardless of style of hunting, every one of us should carry some sort of a medical kit in the field. Having the right kit can make easy work of first aid needs; having the wrong kit can be a disaster. The Ultralight/Watertight .9 Medical Kit ($39) from Adventure Medical Kits provides hunters with the things they need in the field, in a convenient, small package — it only weighs 12 ounces and measures 10x7.5x3 inches. Within its contents you can clean and close wounds, combat stomach illness, do emergency repairs with included duct tape, manage pain, stabilize fractures and sprains, stop bleeding, stop blisters before they start and have easy access to bandages — and it’s all contained within two-stage waterproof bags.

Tenzing Flex 16. A Comfortable Pack When going back and forth to the stand or hunting location, every hunter needs a good way to tote all of their gear. The Tenzing Flex ($100) is a great 650-cubic-inch fanny pack that’s big enough to carry what you need for a simple day afield, but not too big to wear you down. The adjustable shoulder harness and padded waist belt fit most torso sizes and are totally customizable. The fabric is a noiseless, very soft tricot to keep things quiet in the woods. Three storage compartments are easily within arm’s reach, while four compression straps can handle a fair amount of additional gear. Three interior organizational compartments help the hunter keep his or her gear organized and within reach. Weighing in at just 1.5 pounds, a hunter may forget he or she is even wearing it.

Midland X-Talker T71VP3 Two Way Radio 17. A Wide-Ranging Radio  If keeping in touch with hunting partners is a consideration, try showing shoppers the X-Talker T71VP3 Two Way Radio ($80) from Midland. Midland has long been making quality two-way radios for outdoor enthusiasts, and this model is no exception. With 36 channels and 121 privacy codes, each group is sure to be able to find a private line. On top of that, the 38-mile range should make keeping contact within reasonable distance a snap. The T71VP3 also has NOAA weather alert and weather scan technology to keep you up to date on the latest forecast. Another great feature for hunters is silent operation to keep annoying beeps from scaring game.

Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuffs 18. Ear-Saving Muffs You always hear the old deaf guys who shot too much when they were younger say that “we need to use ear protection.” They are right, and the Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuffs ($60) do a fabulous job of protecting what hearing we have left. This earmuff has a very low profile design to not get in the way while shooting. While they shut out noise when levels reach 82 decibels, they actually amplify ambient noise, so there is no need to remove them to hear talking while in the field preparing for a shot. They require two AAA batteries for use, but they have a 350-hour battery life. For $60, it is surely a worthwhile investment in hearing health.

Bushnell Core DS Low Glow 19. A Night-Worthy Trail Cam Picking a trail camera as a gift or in general nowadays can be a confusing task — there are literally dozens of great cameras on the market that work very well. That being said, Bushnell has hit a home run with the Core DS Low Glow ($200). This cam has a dual sensor to provide sharp, crisp daytime images, while the nighttime sensor makes for images that are more detailed. On top of that, it has a 100-foot night range, and the Low Glow creates brighter photos yet still emits little light to the human eye. Pictures are 30-megapixel quality, and the camera has a 0.2-second trigger time to make sure hunters don’t miss a thing. Video is shot in 1080p at 60 frames per second with audio. The Core DS has a one-year battery life and a two-year limited warranty. Order these Products Now for Christmas 2020 at: Lakota Safe Company Online Store Gun Show Prices or Less 24x7 365 Day A Year! THE LOWEST PRICES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA - AND WE SHIP TOO TO ALL 50 STATES, DC AND PUERTO RICO. Mateo's Editor's Pick:  - Posting Soon.   Read the full article

[mydoggotobe]

Why I'm trying to get a service dog

So I realize that I haven't really opened up about why I need a service dog. It's ironic because I'm typically a very open person about my illnesses. I like to educate the public about it. I have been diagnosed with clinical depression, general anxiety disorder and panic disorder. I have had blood tests that lead us to believe I have an autoimmune. We think fibromyalgia based on symptoms and family history. I think I may have developed agoraphobia and social anxiety and will be looking to being diagnosed this summer. I've been struggling with this since kindergarten. I would work my self into so much anxiety that I feel so nauseous. I still do every day. I can't eat during these times. I dissociate in class regularly. It's very difficult to leave my room often because I know there will be crowds or it's too dark and I can't see what's out there. This makes eating and making appointments very difficult. I don't like calling because I think I'm going to make a fool of myself,causing me anxiety. I live on the fourth floor with no elevator. I can barely make it up the stairs, get up from a crouch/squat/the floor. I don't want to go out and exercise alone and I have like 3 friends. I'm fatigued basically all the time and I don't have the energy for anything. All of this makes day to day life very difficult for me. Many of my symptoms happen daily. I'm on my fourth medication and I'll have to go off of it soon due to really bad nausea. I have as needed medication for pain and anxiety. I can't drive on either and I have to get places. I usually can't take them due to this reason. In addition to this, I don't respond well to people when they try to help. When people try to touch or talk to me while I'm having a panic attack, I get worse. I do however, respond well to animals. I currently have an emotional support animal. She's a cat that I've had since she was a kitten. She's almost 10 now. She naturally responds to my moods. When my depression gets the best of me, she comes to me and purrs till I'm happy. If it takes too long, she moves to step 2 and irritatese until I have to get up. When I'm having an attack, she comes to me purring. It calms me down in a matter of minutes. She, however, cannot come with me in public. Where I am the majority of the day. What would a dog do for me? Yes. Emotional support is not a task. My anxiety causes me to think things are happening when they aren't. Like things burning, or there's something in that bush. Watching the dog would let me know everything is fine. I do this with my cat in my room. Blocking in line. This would be used very often. Especially during lunch or dinner where I can wait in line for a good half hour and people come in close behind me. Get me out of/alert to a dissociative or anxiety attack. Stability so I can stand up A trained cue to help me get out of uncomfortable situations Room search for the same reasons as for the emotional support. Balance due to being light headed Get meds in case of a panic attack or flare up Deep pressure therapy when I can't get out of an attack Stability work comes second. If the prospect I get is not big enough, that's okay. I'm so excited to get an SD, I'm so ready to be able to do things!

[lyranwitch]

Hey does anyone else have CPTSD/ PTSD that causes you chronic pain? And/or have a service dog? Need some friends who get it! I'm working hard with Armin. We're doing well with the interruption/ anxiety tasks, working on adding some more for high pain days when I can't get up for meds, to turn on lights, etc., and access training. I'll need a trainer consult eventually to help me teach him allergy alerts! I get the basics but i want to ensure I do it right because my allergies are severe. I worked with dogs but he's my first. I do a lot of research on training and it's paying off but I've found SD handlers willing to share tips are a freaking treasure. A lot of the people I interact with are discriminatory / demeaning about my illness itself, much less the dog and of course there's the weirdness of getting used to how the public treats you when you have an SD in training. I'm staying as positive as I can but if you're a PTSD survivor/spoonie, SD handler, and/or witch, please hmu!

[lakotasafeco-blog]

20 GIFT IDEAS FOR HUNTERS

20 GIFT IDEAS FOR HUNTERS WHO: LAKOTASAFECOMPANY.COM WHERE: WINTER GARDEN, FL It’s that time of year when shoppers will be picking up gifts for family and friends. How do you guide them to the right gift for the hunter in their life? At the end of this article, our Editor will list his top picks for that special Christmas present for your father, mother, son, daughter, grandchildren or just a gift for yourself. Source: Shooting Sports Retailer - By Zach Bowhay -  November 18, 2019

Vortex Diamondback 10x42 HD 1. All-Purpose Binoculars  Every hunter needs a good set of binoculars, and the new Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 ($280) is a sweet set that won’t break the bank. With a nice rubber armored ergonomic feel and only weighing in at 21.3 ounces, the Diamondbacks are a joy to carry and use in the field. The lenses are multi-coated to increase light transmission, and the multi-layer coating on the prisms help provide clear and crisp images. The Diamondbacks are also tripod compatible, and they come with the Vortex Glasspack harness included ($30 value) so the hunter always has a secure way to carry and store their binos.

Phone Skope 2. A Handy Phone Skope Nearly every hunter nowadays heads into the field with two things in tow: optics of some sort and a smart phone. Luckily, there will be no need to tell people of the one that got away when you can show them a picture. For years the folks at Phone Skope have been making cases that go on a smartphone, making it easy to attach to optics, so hunters can bring home great pictures. Most of the cases retail for around ($58), and they make them for nearly any optic or phone you can imagine.

Yeti Loadout Go Box 3. A Tough Gear Case  One thing hunters always seem to have plenty of is expensive gear. Many times that gear includes small items like optics, cameras, GPS units and more, and having a secure way to carry all of that stuff can often be troublesome. Your shoppers already know about Yeti coolers, and now Yeti has decided to address the issue mentioned above with its Loadout Go Box ($250). With measurements of approximately 20.5x15x11 inches, the nearly indestructible Go Box has plenty of room to securely carry a hunter’s most prized gear to and from the field.

Leatherman Rebar 4. A Functional Multi-Tool Hunters and outdoorsmen never know what problems may arise in the field, and one of the best ways to be prepared is to have a quality multi-tool. The name Leatherman has for years been a huge player in this space and with great products like the Rebar ($70), it is easy to see why. Weighing 6.7 ounces, measuring 4 inches long and made from stainless steel, the Rebar puts 17 tools at a hunter’s fingertips, ready to take on nearly any task they can throw at it.

Benchmade Bugout 5. A Really Good Knife  Related: Bolt-Action Hunting Rifles for 2019 One product that a hunter should never be without is a quality knife. The Bugout ($140) from Benchmade is a great hunting blade or everyday carry for any hunter or outdoorsman or woman. With an attractive blue handle and classic drop point blade made from S30V steel, this knife is both stylish and ultra effective as a cutting tool. Weighing a mere 1.85 ounces with closed length of 4.22 inches, this knife is barely noticeable in the pocket. However, it opens to a nice 7.46-inch-long length when ready to use. The bugout also comes standard with Benchmade’s Axis locking mechanism and has a nice clip to keep it in place when carried in a pocket.

Sig Sauer Kilo 1400 BDX 6x20mm 6. A Trustworthy Rangefinder  Every hunter needs a rangefinder, and it is hard to go wrong with any option from the Sig Sauer line. The Kilo 1400 BDX 6x20mmis a great value at only $300. Weighing only 5 ounces, measuring 3.9x 2.9 inches, and ranging reflective targets out to 1,600 yards and deer to 750 yards, this little gem does a lot, without adding bulk in the field. The Kilo 1400 has Line of Sight mode (LOS), Angle Modified Range (AMR) as well as Applied Ballistics Ultralight (ABU), which shows ballistic data in MIL or MOA. Lastly, it is covered with Sig Sauer’s Infinite Guarantee.

Rugid Xtreme 48-inch Rifle Case 7. A Durable Case  An often-overlooked item by hunters is a great gun case to protect our firearm while being transported to and from the field. The Rugid Xtreme 48-inch rifle case ($140) will fill this void nicely. Made from a durable 500d waterproof pvc exterior and a 7/8-inch foam padding, the case will protect your gun from being knocked around. Not only is it waterproof, but it also floats. On the outside of the case is a waterproof pocket big enough for a wallet, cell phone or other small items. On the back, there are two tie down straps for securing the case to an ATV/UTV or anywhere else a hunter sees the need.

Garmin GPSMAP 66i 8. A Reliable GPS  If your shopper isn’t opposed to spending a little more cash, a great new product to consider is the new GPSMAP 66i ($600) from Garmin. This is not only a top-of-the-line GPS, but it’s also a satellite messenger. The 66i comes preloaded with Garmin TopoActive mapping for North and Central America. In addition, the hunter will be able to keep in touch with his or her loved ones from anywhere through two-way messaging. For easy texting, simply Bluetooth the device to a smart phone and text as normal. If an emergency ever arises, the hunter has the option of the SOS button, which will alert emergency services to their exact location.

Worksharp Guided Field Sharpener 9. An Always-Useful Knife Sharpener  Between field-dressing, butchering and general-use chores, hunters are constantly dulling their knives. Problem is, it’s always been difficult to sharpen a knife in the field without negatively affecting the blade. Enter the Worksharp Guided Field Sharpener ($30). The guides on this sharpener help keep the blade angle correct throughout the process. This little tool has a lot on board, with two diamond plates (220 grit coarse, 600 grit fine), a three-position ceramic rod with coarse grit, fine grit and fish hook honing side, and last but not least ,a leather strop. Overall, it is just a great piece for any outdoorsman to have in their kit.

Double Bull Surroundview 360 10. An Invisibility Cloak  OK, a ground blind is not exactly a cloak, but every hunter deserves one of these, because they are just that cool. It will only take one look once you step inside to understand what I mean. The Double Bull Surroundview 360 ($500) is one of the most innovative products to hit the hunting market in years. Walls are constructed with one-way see-through material, meaning you can see all around your blind with no blind spots, but the animals cannot see in. The dimensions of the blind are 60x60x70 inches and it weighs 23 pounds with the bag. Shooting is done via the 180-degree full front window or through five shoot-through ports. The windows have silent slide closure for quiet opening and closing.

Browning BXR Deer Ammunition 11. Accurate Ammo Before any of us head into the field, we need some good ammunition. Browning Ammunition has some great offerings in their BXR DEER ($25-30) line. The BXR deer is designed for use on deer- and antelope-sized game. The matrix tip is great for downrange velocity, high energy and rapid expansion. It’s currently available in .243 win, .270 Win, .270 WSM, .30-06, 30-30, .300 win mag, .300 WSM, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7MM Rem Mag and 7MM-08 Rem. Browning also has ammunition for those after bigger or smaller game as well.

Carbon Express Maxima Red SD12. 12. Consistent Arrows Speaking of ammo, bowhunters can always use some as well. The new Maxima Red SD ($110) from Carbon Express is both stylish and functional. Each Maxima red SD is laser checked to 1/10,000th of an inch, and they are weight sorted to +/-1.0 grains. One unique feature is these arrows have a stiffer front end to keep the front of the arrow from flexing too drastically, helping broadheads shoot more consistently. The Maxima Red SD arrows have a .203 inside diameter, which helps reduce wind drift, and they are available in spines of 250 (8.3gpi), 350 (9.4 gpi) and 450 (11.1 gpi). Related: Making a Case for Cases

Rage Hypodermic NC 13. Super-Sharp Broadheads  Most every bowhunter knows about Rage Broadheads, but they may not know about the new Hypodermic NC ($50). With a machined stainless steel ferrule, Hybrid hypodermic tip, two-blade design and 2-inch cutting diameter, the NC looks similar to the Rage from years past but with one exciting new feature. The NC stands for No Collar blade lock, where the blades simply lock up into place and do not need to be held in place with any sort of a collar. Once the blades have been deployed, they simply slide back up and clicked into place and they are ready to go.When it comes to specific archery gear like arrows and broadheads, be sure your shopper knows the exact specs of the hunter they’re buying for, to make sure the purchase makes sense with their existing setup. Otherwise, you’ll need to have a good return policy!

Rinehart Targets 1/3 Scale Woodland Elk 14. A Lifelike 3-D Target 3-D targets, especially the big ones like elk, moose and caribou, can be expensive. The folks at Rinehart Targets made it possible to bring a bull elk to everyone’s backyard with the 1/3 Scale Woodland Elk ($200). Their claim is the target is anatomically reduced to 1/3 the scale of a 600-pound bull elk, making 20-yard shots equivalent to 60-yard shots in the field. I am not sure if that is the case, but this target has a realistic look and is fun to shoot. It’s made from a Solid FX self-healing foam and has a replaceable foam insert. The target measures 38x44 inches.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .9 Medical Kit 15. A Life-Saving Med Kit Regardless of style of hunting, every one of us should carry some sort of a medical kit in the field. Having the right kit can make easy work of first aid needs; having the wrong kit can be a disaster. The Ultralight/Watertight .9 Medical Kit ($39) from Adventure Medical Kits provides hunters with the things they need in the field, in a convenient, small package — it only weighs 12 ounces and measures 10x7.5x3 inches. Within its contents you can clean and close wounds, combat stomach illness, do emergency repairs with included duct tape, manage pain, stabilize fractures and sprains, stop bleeding, stop blisters before they start and have easy access to bandages — and it’s all contained within two-stage waterproof bags.

Tenzing Flex 16. A Comfortable Pack When going back and forth to the stand or hunting location, every hunter needs a good way to tote all of their gear. The Tenzing Flex ($100) is a great 650-cubic-inch fanny pack that’s big enough to carry what you need for a simple day afield, but not too big to wear you down. The adjustable shoulder harness and padded waist belt fit most torso sizes and are totally customizable. The fabric is a noiseless, very soft tricot to keep things quiet in the woods. Three storage compartments are easily within arm’s reach, while four compression straps can handle a fair amount of additional gear. Three interior organizational compartments help the hunter keep his or her gear organized and within reach. Weighing in at just 1.5 pounds, a hunter may forget he or she is even wearing it.

Midland X-Talker T71VP3 Two Way Radio 17. A Wide-Ranging Radio  If keeping in touch with hunting partners is a consideration, try showing shoppers the X-Talker T71VP3 Two Way Radio ($80) from Midland. Midland has long been making quality two-way radios for outdoor enthusiasts, and this model is no exception. With 36 channels and 121 privacy codes, each group is sure to be able to find a private line. On top of that, the 38-mile range should make keeping contact within reasonable distance a snap. The T71VP3 also has NOAA weather alert and weather scan technology to keep you up to date on the latest forecast. Another great feature for hunters is silent operation to keep annoying beeps from scaring game.

Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuffs 18. Ear-Saving Muffs You always hear the old deaf guys who shot too much when they were younger say that “we need to use ear protection.” They are right, and the Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuffs ($60) do a fabulous job of protecting what hearing we have left. This earmuff has a very low profile design to not get in the way while shooting. While they shut out noise when levels reach 82 decibels, they actually amplify ambient noise, so there is no need to remove them to hear talking while in the field preparing for a shot. They require two AAA batteries for use, but they have a 350-hour battery life. For $60, it is surely a worthwhile investment in hearing health.

Bushnell Core DS Low Glow 19. A Night-Worthy Trail Cam Picking a trail camera as a gift or in general nowadays can be a confusing task — there are literally dozens of great cameras on the market that work very well. That being said, Bushnell has hit a home run with the Core DS Low Glow ($200). This cam has a dual sensor to provide sharp, crisp daytime images, while the nighttime sensor makes for images that are more detailed. On top of that, it has a 100-foot night range, and the Low Glow creates brighter photos yet still emits little light to the human eye. Pictures are 30-megapixel quality, and the camera has a 0.2-second trigger time to make sure hunters don’t miss a thing. Video is shot in 1080p at 60 frames per second with audio. The Core DS has a one-year battery life and a two-year limited warranty. Order these Products Now for Christmas 2020 at: Lakota Safe Company Online Store Gun Show Prices or Less 24x7 365 Day A Year! THE LOWEST PRICES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA - AND WE SHIP TOO TO ALL 50 STATES, DC AND PUERTO RICO. Mateo's Editor's Pick:  - Posting Soon.   Read the full article