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2018 Father's Day Gift Guide

2018 Father's Day Gift Guide

To help you find the perfect Father's Day gift this year, the GUN DOG staff has compiled some of the most innovative and must-have gear for Dad

If your dad is obsessed with birds, dogs and guns, then we have the right gear for him this Father's Day. These items are on any upland dad's bucket list, so don't cheap out on a tie. He deserves it. Here are some great items for pops on his special day.

onX Hunt Maps Elite

There's nothing more frustrating than being out hunting in new terrain, looking down at your phone for a map, and getting nothing because you are out of cell range. One solution comes from onX, an app made for exploring. Before you go, you can create maps with the features you want, like wilderness areas, access points and satellite imagery, and then save the map to your phone.


The app uses the GPS in your phone and then pinpoints your position over your saved map. It tracks you, no cell reception required, and lets you check out the area via topo maps, satellite imagery or any of the other 12 types of map layers you have downloaded. The app is free, but you'll want to add features (prices are free for a trial of seven days to $119.99 per year). The Elite subscription will get you access to maps of all 50 states.

$99.99/year | Onxmaps.com

onX Maps (Photo courtesy of onX Maps)

Caesar Guerini Magnus


Elegant with its gold pheasants setting off the color case-hardened action protected by their Invisalloy finish, the Magnus Field comes in 12, 20 and 28 gauges. The oil-finished Turkish walnut stock with its sleek Prince of Wales grip ends with a distinctive wood butt plate for slick mounting. The 28- or 30-inch barrels come with five chokes, a single selective trigger and automatic ejectors.

MSRP: $4,775 | GueriniUSA.com

Caesar Guerini Magnus


Dokken DeadFowl Trainer

The Dokken DeadFowl Trainer has a hard head to encourage proper retrieves so your dog won't ever mangle a trophy greenhead. A Power Throw Grip allows for long tosses into the field or pond when your dog is ready to fetch beyond the decoys. You can also inject scent into the soft body. The dummies are available in a variety of upland and waterfowl species.

MSRP: $25 | Deadfowltrainer.com

Dokken DeadFowl Trainer


Realtree Naturals

If you're treat-training a pup, Realtree Naturals come in options like Beef Jerky, Beef Taffy, Cod Skin Bites, and Sooie Strips (pig ears), all of which are sourced in Canada or the U.S.

MSRP: $5 | Realtree.com

Realtree Naturals


Gunner Kennels G1

Gunner Kennels makes bomb-proof dog crates built to last, and the latest addition to GKs' lineup is the G1 Medium, which is perfect for dogs weighing up to 45 pounds. This five-star-crash-rated kennel comes with a lifetime warranty and is made in the U.S. Double roto-molded walls provide two layers of protection, and the Paddle-Latch door keeps canines secure.

MSRP: $430 | Gunnerkennels.com

Gunner Kennels G1


D.T. Systems MR 1100

If the Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo pattern isn't a dead giveaway, then take my word that the Master Retriever 1100 from D.T. Systems was built with waterfowlers in mind. Beyond its telltale face paint, this new remote trainer is custom fit for the field and marsh. As any electronic unit destined for 60-plus-days in a wetland, both collar and transmitter are completely waterproof.  A streamlined design makes the remote a bit easier to fit inside your waders, and the 1,100-yard range is well beyond what most hunting situations call for (unless your Lab can handle a really, really long blind). With 16 levels of stimulation and D.T.'s Vibration Assist, the MR 1100 is a train-and-hunt unit to its core.

MSRP: $220 | Dtsystems.com

D.T. Systems MR 1100


Happy Jack Flexenhance Plus+

Joint damage is extremely common among sporting dogs, especially those of the Lab variety. Flexenhance tablets utilize glucosamine and creatine to reverse joint and bone damage, improving flexibility and mobility.

MSRP: $33 | Happyjackinc.com

Happy-Jack-Flexenhance-Plus-


Collar Clinic

Had my remote remained donated to Mother Nature, the first call (after my wife) was going to be to Collar Clinic. They sell refurbished units, which would have gotten me up and running for a bargain. But now that I have that old TT back, I'll be mailing it in for a tune-up since the intensity dial is on the fritz. Send them your barely- or non-working bark collars, beepers and remote trainers to fix good as new (they'll even troubleshoot problems over the phone if you're extra nice). With 30 years of experience under their collar, they'll repair Garmin/Tri-Tronics, Dogtra and D.T. Systems, and will take any make or model as a trade-in toward a new unit.

Customer service is priority No. 1, and fast shipping is assured because everything &endash; antennae, parts, and batteries, for instance — is in stock.

MSRP: $49 (start price) | Collarclinic.com

Collar Clinic


Conquest Scent Sticks

Sometimes finding training birds isn't so easy, which is where Conquest Scent Sticks makes a suitable substitute. Duplicate the scent of the real thing while utilizing a simple bumper to lay a tracking drill or real-world retrieving scenario. Water, saliva and weather resistant, these convenient sticks are an easy way to add scent without mess. Choose from popular gamebird species, as well as rabbit, raccoon, antler and blood trail.

MSRP: $13-$20 | Conquestscents.com

Conquest Scents


Browning BXD

Made to deliver a more condensed pattern at impact, you will find this load hammers birds...when it's on target. An aerodynamic wad delivers penetration and a uniformity down range Offered in popular 12-gauge 3" and 3.5" loads and 20-gauge 3".

MSRP: $20-$30 | Browningammo.com

Browning BXD

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