The responsibility of gift buying is best placed on someone else’s shoulders - that’s how I feel, at least. But no matter how hard some of us try to pass the burden in its entirety, there is always a handful of family and friends who we still must shop for by ourselves, because “it would mean more coming from you.” Beware if you hear a similar statement in the coming weeks, as this simple phrase is merely code for: “These are the hardest people to shop for on your list, and I cannot find them anything.”

If you’ve hit a roadblock in your shopping and a couple of people on your list enjoy outdoor activities, read on. I’ve assembled another annual outdoors gift list of products that I have deemed useful and well worth the money.

The first product on my 2008 assembly is a nifty creation anyone would appreciate and use. Whether you’re frying up morel mushrooms in April or crappie fillets in October, it is hard not to make a mess with all of the flour being flung around the countertop or campsite. The Cajun Injector Batter Pro eliminates this mess, while also conserving flour and making the process of battering fish, game and vegetables much, much easier. I first saw one used this spring and immediately knew that the Batter Pro would be a go-to item in my kitchen. The simple device can be purchased for around $13 and is microwave- and dishwasher-safe.

Next on the list is a hunting product that performs well in the field but even better in the backyard. The Edge Expedite “Yote” coyote decoy costs around $40 and is the most lifelike coyote decoy I’ve ever laid eyes on. Of course, the “Yote” is made to lure coyotes into range for predator hunters, but many hunters have found an even better use for the convincing canine during the offseason. If you have a garden, it is almost guaranteed that you also have trouble with rabbits, deer, raccoons and a grab bag of other freeloading critters. While many of these animals are more inquisitive than scared of the scarecrow donning vintage 1980s clothing, almost none of them will take a chance at entering a garden with a snarling coyote staked out in between the squash and tomatoes. Thus, the Edge Expedite “Yote” performs double duty both as a pest deterrent and coyote decoy for those late-winter hunts.

Measuring slimy, writhing fish of any size is difficult, but once they reach a certain length and weight a regular old ruler glued to the stern just doesn’t cut it. This fact becomes obvious when you happen to be trying to grapple a sizeable brown trout equipped with a mouthful of teeth resembling a T-Rex from the floor of an unstable canoe while floating backwards across the frigid waters of the Cumberland River. In waters regulated with length slots for gamefish, such as our world-class trout fishery already mentioned, it is imperative to have an accurate measurement to stay within the law when keeping a few fish for the table. The Hawg Trough made by Cabela’s makes the task of measuring bigger fish less strenuous on the fisherman and the fish because, unlike a ruler or measuring tape, the Hawg Trough’s concave design eliminates the need to hold down struggling fish so that they can be measured. Priced at around $17, the Hawg Trough is a fine asset to any angler’s boat.

I find it hard to wear what I call traditional “toboggans” because they make my head itch so much that I find myself taking them off or shifting them around constantly. A few years back I discovered the perfect substitute for knit hats, fleece hats and neck gaiters: Turtle Fur. Despite the strange name, Turtle Fur hats have been the best articles of clothing for staying warm in the woods and on the water that I have ever used. The material is a soft fleece that doesn’t itch, dries very quickly and weighs very little. Turtle Fur hats can be purchased at www.campmor.com, and most of the lineup of Turtle Fur products are an incredible bargain at less than $10.

Keeping the barrels of guns free of debris and corrosive sediments is imperative to their longevity and accuracy. After a long day on the range or out stomping through briars, sportsmen do not always feel like sitting down to clean their guns as they know they should. The Hoppe’s Bore Snake makes this sometimes daunting task a breeze at the conclusion of a tiresome adventure. The Bore Snake is a rod, brush and cloth all-in-one convenient tool that can be kept in the gun’s case and only takes a few seconds to run through the barrel of an unloaded gun for cleaning. A Hoppe’s Bore Snake can be purchased at most major outdoor retailers and costs about $15 for either rifle or shotgun.

Last on the list is a book - not exactly everybody’s most exciting idea of a gift but exceptional books make exceptional gifts. More than any one individual or one event that drew me into the outdoors was a book titled “The Old Man and The Boy” by Robert Ruark. This sporting classic is neither a youngster’s book nor an adult’s book; it is written so that anyone and everyone can appreciate the collection of stories about fishing, camping, and hunting. The ragged copy I own was a hand-me-down gift long ago and still ranks at the very top of my all-time list of favorite presents. Ruark penned a number of books, but this is by far his most well-known piece and can be found in almost any large bookstore for around $25.

Armed with these ideas, hopefully some folks out there will have a little easier time finding something for a loved one on their list.

— Geordon T. Howell is outdoors columnist for the Daily News. He may be reached by e-mailing highbrasshowell@yahoo.com.