Thinning the herd

Sometimes something dramatic has to happen before we rethink our position in life and other important things.

My buddy and I shot together at our club for a number of years before he got seriously ill. In the last year, I'd bring him to the club every week right up until it became impossible. Sadly, he passed away just recently.

My buddy was a life-long shooter/hunter/collector of firearms. He had a number of very fine firearms, some of which were rarely shot and others that are still new-in-the-box. At his wake, I advised his son, who lived out of state, that he needed to immediately address the issue of all the handguns that were in the house with his mother, who was not licensed to possess them. Here in NY, the issue of handgun possession is a complicated matter and confiscation is common.

None of my buddy's family members own or are interested in firearms. Everything will likely be disposed of in some manner. There was plenty of time for my buddy to "thin down the herd" but no one wants to think about that. Many avid shooters probably pass away with large collections and leave their heirs to handle things that they aren't equipped to do.

Now that I've had plenty of time to think about all of this, I've come to recognize that I'm aging out of hunting to the extent that I have done in the past. No more frozen Snow Goose hunts, probably won't be climbing mountains or hiking for miles, not looking to hunt dangerous game, and won't be chasing dogs after elusive game animals. I'll probably always hunt and shoot but I'll be doing things at a more gentleman like pace.

I have also decided to not make the mistake that my buddy did and to not leave a wealth of firearms for my wife to deal with when the Lord calls me. Yup - I have started to "thin the herd". I went into the safe and pulled out several Safe Queens. As much as I loved those guns, I started to sell them. I've been working with the owner of my LGS, whom I've known for 35 years. The logistics of selling and shipping is much easier when you can work with an FFL licensed dealer. Yeah - I'll receive less money in the end but the convenience to have him do all the work/paperwork is worth it to me. I think I'll reduce the number down to just the firearms that I use all the time and let the rest go. No more need for all the heavy magnum rifles.

So for you older LRH members - have you considered "thinning the herd"? When is the right time?

And for anyone wondering - no, I'm not checking out 🤣 I'm just facing the reality of the aging process.
Me too....Working on it as we speak...
 
@Varmint Hunter , I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Thanks for posting this, as it's relevant to all of us, as well as estate planning, as we age.

At 60, I expect to live another 30 years like the three generations of men in my family before me, God willing.
Financially, I had a trust for all the kids, but that changed with divorce and needs updating.
Seeing a friend's family squabble over her father's estate and his guns, I'm going to set up a gun trust with my kids who want to participate.
Three of my four kids are equivocal about guns. They like them, but don't hunt or make it important in their life. My oldest is a certified gun-nut. I've already given her six guns, and she'll easily receive another five or so in the next five years.
I predict, with the amount I shoot and the components I have on hand, I'll shoot out most of my guns before my time comes.

State laws are such BS. A friend's father passed in the Republik of Kalifornistan. All his guns were purchased way before the insanity there, and most were "off register". My friend asked what to do. I said shut up and bring them home. His mother approved.
 
Then, you have some that could care less.

When we were just trying to stay ahead of the taxman, I bought my young daughter a like new Browning Lever 22, then put a pretty nice scope on it. Years later she and her husband traded it, or so I was told, for another 22 rifle……with a value of about 20% of her rifle! Some folks have no respect for gifts or their value!

Yep, 30+ years later…..I'm still ****ed!

That's just one of the "gifts that keeps on giving" through a divorce! 🤬 memtb

My philosophy on giving gifts is once given, you also relinquish control of the gift. Once it's in their hands, they have the right to do whatever with it. You should let it go or it's really not a gift but instead something you can control them with. It's not yours anymore. Hope this helps you let your anger go.
I share the same philosophy. Gifts from me are given without strings or expectations. I've given away rifles and reloading equipment to different folk, even paying for the FFL transfer fee on the rifle, only to find the items were shortly sold thereafter (hocked at a pawn shop). No anger or upset attitude from me, but I'll never give those folk another item again.
In the last gun pricing craze of 2020, I suggested to my oldest that she sell the AR10 I had given her (DPMS Panther). Her reply, "Dad, I'd never sell a gun you gave me."
 
I think you should have just retained the rifle and only lent it to them. This way you would maintain control and it wouldn't be a GIFT.

She was about 10, when gifted. I had hoped that it might have meant more. Way more than what they got for it! ☹️

Your right about letting it go, though it's unlikely to happen. As I've said before……"I can forgive but I never forget"! I can forgive, and still be "****ed"! memtb
 
As someone who has no children and a lot of guns and reloading equipment, I think about this often. None of my sister's kids have shown an interest in hunting or shooting. Fortunately, one of my wife's cousin's kids lives close and he has just recently gotten into it. When we lived in ATL, he was very interested in going hunting with me as I was the only relative he had that hunted. Unfortunately, before I ever got to take him, work took me to TX and then MO. So, when we moved to SC and I purchased hunting land in WV, I reached out to ask and for the last two years, he has been going with me and we have gone to the range together a couple of times as well.
If he continues on this path, I will give everything to him.
If not you can send it here and it will be well dispersed.....and appreciated!🤣😂
 
So I'm on the other side of the conversation. My dad just got diagnosed with lung and brain cancer, stage 4. He has a mega collection of everything hunting and fishing. I'm going to be busy the next couple of years liquidating most of his stuff, guns or otherwise. It's not something I'm looking forward to as that was his life. However, I just don't need or want all of what's in his collection.
Do your kids a favor and start pairing down prior to health problems Is my recommendation.
 
I am way too easily influenced by others in this hunting and shooting world. I think I should stop acquiring new guns and accessories/components, then something catches my eye or peaks my interest. This weakness has been exasperated by many members on this forum. Oh well, I'll be okay and probably won't stop. It's too much fun.

Easy to do. I have two rifles for hunting now. I have plenty of toys but 2 dedicated no expenses spared rifles. The rest is going to outfitters and tags for a while. My take on it.
 
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