Local shoppers are spending cautiously this Christmas. But they're still spending.

Tom Fields, manager of Linton's Big R Store in Evansville, said customers seem optimistic, despite the national recession. His store's sales are ahead of last's year pace.

"We seem to be on an island," he said.

Guns and ammunition have been particularly popular with holiday shoppers.

Even so, Fields has detected less impulse buying. "They're being more astute about this," he said, "but doggone it, they're sure spending."

Business at the Frontier Mall in Cheyenne also has been good. General Manager Ken Burke expects November's numbers to be on par or slightly ahead of last year, even with fewer shopping days between "Black Friday" and Christmas than a year ago. He said many people don't really shift into Christmas shopping mode until Black Friday, which is the day after Thanksgiving.

Higher end goods have been selling if there is a sale related to them; upscale stores like American Eagle and Buckle are among those doing well, he said.

Burke said there also has been a shift in shopping habits. When gas prices were high, people stopped shopping as frequently is Colorado. Now that prices have moderated, people still seem to be staying closer to home.

Burke said traffic numbers at the mall are up 5 percent to 10 percent over last year, depending on the day, but it's unclear whether that has translated into sales. There seems to be more shopping before buying.

"A lot of people are just being a little more cautious on what they're spending," he said.

Angie McCann, general manager of the Eastridge Mall in Casper, was upbeat: "So far, so good," she said.

But Kevin Sadler, owner of Sadler's Hallmark, said his sales were behind last year, and he had heard similar reports from other merchants.

Shopper Penny Ballard of Casper said she planned to spend only a fraction of what she did last year. The family's RV-related business is suffering, a fact that will be reflected in gifts.

"It's been kind of tough when they want computers, and I've got a CD budget," she said.

But Chris Parsons, a construction worker who is laid off during the winter months, said he will spend more for his wife this year, and there will be a big family present.

Christi Thomason of Casper doesn't expect much change from last Christmas.

"I budget pretty well," she said.

Business Editor Tom Mast can be reached at tom.mast@trib.com, or call 307-266-0574.