The Kentucky Afield Calendar provides useful information to outdoors enthusiasts. The calendar contains in its pages hunting season dates, interesting facts about nature, outdoor tips and beautiful photographs of Kentucky animals and landscapes. A special package available at the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources homepage at fw.ky.gov combines a one-year subscription to the award-winning Kentucky Afield magazine, the Kentucky Afield Calendar and the popular "Kentucky Afield" Deer Processing DVD for just $15. This package is a $33 value if purchased separately and would be an appreciated gift.

For the outdoors enthusiast who already owns nearly every hunting and fishing gadget on the market, the gift of a Kentucky Sportsman’s License or simply a Kentucky hunting and fishing combination license is always appreciated.

Who doesn’t want a gift you actually need and will often use instead of a robe, socks, ties or a Snuggie? The Kentucky Sportsman’s License saves $50 over buying the licenses and permits separately. The Sportsman’s License allows the recipient of the gift to hunt turkeys in the spring and fall and also hunt doves, small game and deer. They may also fish year-round for all species, including trout. The Kentucky Sportsman’s License includes the combination hunting and fishing license, spring and fall turkey permits, trout permit, statewide deer permit and the Kentucky waterfowl permit, which also covers hunting migratory birds such as doves.

You only need a Federal Waterfowl Permit, commonly called a duck stamp available at post offices across Kentucky, along with a Kentucky Sportsman’s License and you can hunt for everything except bear and elk. Another option is the $20 Kentucky combination hunting and fishing license that saves $10 over the cost of purchasing annual hunting or fishing licenses separately.

The buyer must know the date of birth and social security number of the person they intend to receive the gift license. Log on to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources homepage at fw.ky.gov and click on the yellow “Purchase Licenses Here” tab to buy a license or you may purchase a license in the sporting goods section of department stores, tackle shops and hunting stores all over Kentucky. Make sure you click on the button for the 2011-2012 license year if you buy your license on-line. If you buy a license as a gift at a store, make sure the clerk sells you a 2011-2012 license and not the 2010-2011 license that expires Feb. 28, 2011.

Another great gift idea only costs $15 and you get three things the outdoors enthusiast in your family will use often during the year: a one-year subscription to the award-winning Kentucky Afield magazine, the in-demand Kentucky Afield calendar and a copy of the popular and useful “Kentucky Afield” Deer Processing DVD, a $33 value.

The Kentucky Afield magazine packs its pages with information and techniques for fishing and hunting opportunities across Kentucky. It is the best source for news from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The Kentucky Afield calendar alerts outdoors lovers about upcoming hunting season dates, useful outdoor tips, interesting nature notes plus holidays and moon phases. It is a gift that gives all year long.

The “Kentucky Afield” Deer Processing DVD originally aired on the “Kentucky Afield” television show and remains extremely popular. The DVD informs the viewer how to simply process your deer from field dressing and skinning to the proper cuts for steaks and roasts. Orders placed by Dec. 15 will ship by Christmas, orders received after that date will mail Jan. 3, 2011. On the Internet, log on to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources homepage at fw.ky.gov and then click on the Kentucky Afield Store tab at the top right of the page.

The Kentucky Afield Store also has Kentucky Afield embroidered hats that feature “Kentucky Afield” emblazoned over the state of Kentucky in camouflage, blaze orange and tan with a green bill. One hat designed for anglers features a largemouth bass jumping between the words “Kentucky” and “Afield.” Each hat costs $16. The store also has the popular “Best of Kentucky Afield Fishing” DVD for $10.

You may now apply for the 2011 elk lottery. This puts the applicant in the draw for one of the elk quota hunts held from October through December. In 2011, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will award 800 permits. The elk lottery application costs just $10 and would make an affordable and appreciated stocking stuffer.

For your loved one who loves to hunt and fish, get some of these practical gifts that last all year long. They will be used and appreciated, unlike yet another robe.

Author Lee McClellan is an award-winning associate editor for Kentucky Afield magazine, the official publication of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He is a life-long hunter and angler, with a passion for smallmouth bass fishing.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our website at fw.ky.gov.