MOSES LAKE - Citizens of the Columbia Basin are blessed because we have an abundance of outdoor activity opportunities. We also have plenty of sporting goods stores which stock an ample supply of outdoor goods.

Within the greater Basin it is possible to purchase Dutch ovens, camping lanterns, tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, fishing rods, shotguns and the list goes on right down to the fish hook, shotgun shells and lantern mantle.

The inventory seems unlimited or at least the limits are few when the retail stores are able to order a rare item from their numerous catalogs.

Having stated the above, it seems remote to have a person who can't find a sensible and practical gift for everyone on their shopping list. Still I have people consult with me privately each year about the subject.

"John has everything for the outdoors," a wife says. "I just can't figure what would be a proper gift for him this year."

Of course I begin my part by quizzing her about John's outdoor activities. We figure out he goes to deer and elk camp where the group takes turns cooking. He already has 14- and 12-inch Dutch ovens and enjoys cooking everything in them from elk roast to dump cakes.

"Does he have a 10-inch or 8-inch oven?"

"No."

"These smaller Dutch ovens don't have the capacity of the larger ones, of course, but there must be times when John cooks for a smaller crowd," I tell her.

"With the kids gone, he and I have started camping more, just the two of us," she says. "Those smaller sizes would be just perfect for us."

Then I explain about the Dutch Oven Dome, made by Camp Chef. The kit comes with a heat diffuser, also called a flame tamer, which sits on top of a gas stove burner. The Dutch oven sits on the diffuser and the dome goes over the oven.

This setup allows the cook to prepare a meal in a Dutch oven without using briquettes or coals of any kind. The heat from the gas burner circulates within the dome and acts as if it was a convection oven.

"The one thing John dislikes about Dutch-oven cooking is all the mess from the coals," the wife says. "This sounds like a lot less work and it would be cleaner, too."

So John is getting both a 10-inch and an 8-inch Dutch oven for Christmas, along with a Dutch oven dome kit.

At least two stores in the Basin carry a lot of Dutch oven and cast iron cookware, but let's say they don't have the dome. This means they may be able to order it, but it won't arrive in time for Christmas, the day after tomorrow.

All is not lost, but this situation creates the chance to have some fun. Acquire a photo of the dome, either from the catalog the store has or from the Internet. Place the photo in a box with a note indicating the dome has been ordered and is expected to arrive on such and such a day.

Also add some marbles, small rocks or BBs to the box before closing. Make a big deal of placing the present under the tree, so it makes lots of noise. Such a trick has been known to confuse outdoor-minded people to a great degree, causing them a bit of distress, but not to the point it isn't fun.

So here we are, with Christmas just a day away. This leaves us with the opportunity of discussing last-minute gift-giving ideas.

A knife remains my top-of-the-list gift, but there are so many more items. A walk through the sporting goods section of your favorite store offers items galore right there at your fingertips.

A firearm should not be a last-minute gift idea, but such a scenario is possible. The possibility exists of not being able to take the firearm home when purchased, because of federal law. The photo in the box idea works great in this situation.

There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of fishing rod and reels in the Basin. Some sell for less than $20 and others sell for near or above $1,000.

Stocking stuffer suggestions include new fishing line, lures, plugs, weights and bobbers. If an angler is expanding to include a variety of species, such as salmon, walleye, steelhead and bass, perhaps he/she needs a tackle box for each species.

A goose or duck hunter may need more decoys, a layout blind or more ammunition. Most of which can be acquired at local sporting goods stores.

A big game hunter might be in line for a new riflescope. I once asked the president of the Zeiss Riflescope Company who buys scopes costing will over $1,000?

His answer was interesting and right on the mark.

"Well, the first people are the ones who have the money to buy anything, so they always buy the best, no matter the cost," he said. "Other buyers are the ones who want the best and are willing to save for years for the purchase."

Although some of us try to stay away from just giving money, a contribution to a scope, fly fishing rod, rifle or shotgun fund is appropriate.

Another idea is to pack a box full of fishing tackle, but be careful as the cost of some of those spinners and plugs add up fast.

Last minute Christmas shopping is a snap with the variety of outdoor-related goods we have in the Basin.

From my family to yours: A Merry Christmas to all.