Ah, my kingdom for a bow hook, I was thinking.

During the Pennsylvania archery season, I chose a stand I rarely use except during the white tail rut. And since I hadn't used the stand since hanging it, I'd forgotten that key little piece of equipment that can make an afternoon infinitely more enjoyable.A simple thing like a bow hook can make an afternoon much more comfortable. But remember, on public game lands, it's not lawful to screw anything into a tree. Instead, opt for one of the gear hangers that can be strapped to a tree. Either way, those items are handy and make great stocking stuffers for hunters. As I wiled away the hours in the stand, I made a mental list of perfect stocking stuffers for hunters and anglers:1. An assortment of extra batteries, rechargeable batteries and chargers. The battery on my rangefinder always seems to die during hunting season. I never think of replacing it until that happens and I find myself bleary-eyed in hunting season fatigue, standing in line at a box store.2. A hand-crank flashlight. Two seasons ago, I shot an awesome buck and called a friend to help on the blood trail, and hopefully, the recovery. I used a feature on my headlamp which allows me to widen the cast of light, and made steady progress on the trail. That is, until (you guessed it), I ran out of battery juice. My friend had brought a hand-crank flashlight. Admittedly, the noise can be a little annoying, until (you guessed it), you find that next spot of blood.3. Hand-warmers. They are indispensable, invaluable and inexpensive, and can really add to your comfort and enjoyment of an outdoor day, hunting or fishing.4. A small thermos, dark-colored or camouflage, if possible. Why is it that the hot dog you eat while attending an outdoor sports game tastes so good? During the year, I rarely eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; however, I find them delicious when I'm in a tree stand. The same goes for coffee or hot chocolate. A warm drink is a treasure in the winter woods, or during a lull in the action on a chilly spring day on the water.5. Knives - Field dressing, skinning, fileting; you can never have too many. And they seem to be easy to lose!6. Quality socks - Recently, needing to add on an item to reach a "free shipping" minimum, I ordered one pair of good socks (by Under Armour). I couldn't believe how much more comfortable they made my feet! The pair was expensive (by my standards) but worth every penny and a great stocking stuffer for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors.7. A harness for binoculars. If you haven't yet tried one, you'll find it indispensable. It keeps the binoculars out of the way until you need them.For the Outdoor Dog1. Dogs have more bones in their bodies than we do, 319 compared to our 206. There are hundreds of joints in their bodies and a problem/soreness in just one of them can impact the dog's entire system. Many veterinarians now advise starting sporting dogs on a supplement when they're eight months old. The key ingredients in a good supplement are glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate.2. Toothbrush and toothpaste - To us, getting these items in a holiday stocking might rank as a boring disappointment. But with the flavored toothpaste and special brushes, dogs seem to enjoy having their teeth brushed. And the simple chore can prevent other issues, such as abscesses and gum disease.3. Toys - Even if they only last 20 minutes. Let your hard-working hunting dog have some puppyish fun.These are just suggestions, but these items, while nontraditional, will please the outdoor enthusiast on your list, whether he or she is four-legged or two-legged.