Interesting thread on taxidermy as an investment, which I personally never considered as such. To the point of our hobbies as an opportunity to create longer-term value, I have collected Africana and limited edition hunting books and custom and high-end firearms. One can't help but notice the decline in hunter numbers, though other outdoor sports populations grow or hold steady. I personally enjoy the use of these assets and would collect even if there was no market but...

Will these functional assets continue to appreciate and at what rate?

How and who will be the ultimate buyers in 10 or 20 years?

We have seen cycles, peaks and troughs, before. Are we in a trough brought about by the former administrations policies or is this a broader trend that will continue to play out...

Sunday morning, yes I might be bored but I am not watching the NFL today!

Interesting question. While I don't collect firearms, I do have a rather nice book collection. I always thought I'd pass them down to my son, but he isn't much of a reader. My daughter loves to read, but hunting books aren't of any interest to her.

So, what to do? Lately, I've begun thinking that perhaps I should sell them and go on safari with the proceeds.

Well. The ol´saying about buying shares and bonds apply to everything else. Don`t invest money you can`t handle to loose. However buying guns and books(which I happen to do) I buy for my own pleasure. I might be lucky in 20-30 years time I can cash it, but if it can´t, atleast it gave my a pleasure and it gave me many good social contacts and enjoyable moments with other likeminded(which I see as the best investment in life).

Well as with all things related to outfitted/international hunts, collectible hunting books and high end firearms.......take the boomer generation out of the equation and what are you left with????

Just look at the demographics of the membership base of the big hunting organizations like SCI and DSC, WSF, etc.

The writing is on the wall in big capitol letters.

Russell,

I've never thought of my guns, mounts or a houseful of Africana including quite few books as anything but something for the personal enjoyment of Sadie and I. I must say though that since we've moved to Las Vegas the reaction to the mounts of some of the service folks coming to the house has been very entertaining with not one negative comment.

As for not watching the NFL I think that is a great idea. This "Taking a Knee" BS personally offends me as a veteran and it should offend anyone with a pinch of pride in their country. I'm pretty much all for live and let live plus free speech but this feels like someone is spitting in my face personally.

Mark

Me too Mark. I don't mind if you peacefully protest your POV, hell this country was built on that principle. But in my opinion there are a plethora of better options available to get your point across and actually win people to your argument. But hell thats me and I am increasingly proving myself a dinosaur...

Russ, Mark

No NFL for me either! Purely disrespect for the country in my opinion. They can take their knee...I will not watch another play!

Russ..back to topic..
I think my mount are about worthless to anyone else...priceless to me. Guns..thinking of selling a few.

quote:

Originally posted by Skip Nantz:
Russ, Mark

No NFL for me either! Purely disrespect for the country in my opinion. They can take their knee...I will not watch another play!

Russ..back to topic..
I think my mount are about worthless to anyone else...priceless to me. Guns..thinking of selling a few.

+1. On everything you said.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
Interesting thread on taxidermy as an investment, which I personally never considered as such. To the point of our hobbies as an opportunity to create longer-term value, I have collected Africana and limited edition hunting books and custom and high-end firearms. One can't help but notice the decline in hunter numbers, though other outdoor sports populations grow or hold steady. I personally enjoy the use of these assets and would collect even if there was no market but...

Will these functional assets continue to appreciate and at what rate?

How and who will be the ultimate buyers in 10 or 20 years?

We have seen cycles, peaks and troughs, before. Are we in a trough brought about by the former administrations policies or is this a broader trend that will continue to play out...

Sunday morning, yes I might be bored but I am not watching the NFL today!

Russell,

I like guns and I have only managed to read one Africa hunting book to completion. Hunting books bore me.

Do I think hunting books hold value - probably not great. If you have limited or signed editions by corbet maybe. Africa hunting is getting packaged and refocused - those books may appeal to s limited audience over time. I just think trophy and African hunting is socially tainted and I don't see that as changing. No one really remains or cares about colonial life in Africa. Asia is not the same - old colonial stuff has value but this stuff is not hunting or gun related.

Guns - not for big bores or double rifles. As hunting goes so will these guns. We have way more big bore and double rifles than there is any need for.

Other guns will hold value and appreciate - military rifles, select hunting rifles that are discontinued, high end shotguns. A pair of high end holland and holland shotguns will hold value better than double rifle.

I think the auctions provide great insight into what is valued and what is not.

I think motorcycles, cars and other universal collectibles have much more asset value and upside potential. Universal collectibles are what some global rich guy can buy. A gun is subject too much regulatory stuff for a Chinese, Indian or Japanese collector to buy.

Mike

Sadly, all it would take to get hunter numbers up, is a widely popular movie or two. Wha? You say. Think Redford and Streep and the book as well. Or something comparable on line. Is it possible with todays Hollywood? Maybe not right this minute. I do believe it's possible. One celeb takes head out of ass, is shown and sees, demonstrates hunting conservation/anti-poaching, a snowball effect would ensue. All kids today know is what's in fingertips. You make shooting an impala and warthog while apprehending real poachers a badge of honor watch out. Folks ask about my last trip they seem mildly interested until poachers and shots fired are brought up, then they lean forward and hang on every word. Finally declaring it, in their eyes, a worthwhile trip.

Russ, I hope I'm still kicking in twenty years to see how the values of my collectables are doing.

College Ball, you bet! NFL, no thanks.

We are blessed to have two children, both absolutely nuts about hunting and fishing. So that solves the collectables/taxidermy issue for us.
With what happened in college football this past weekend, who needs the NFL? They are SO out of touch with their patrons.....

I.Have tons of old hunting books gotta do.something with them .They get harder and harder to sell .It's a shame they cover the golden age of hunting when it was widely excepted .I am thinking of soon giving some of my guns to new hunters .I have no kids and no one special to give them too .I.Have tried to teach as many.kids to hunt and fish as I can .I taught and took 15 kids to hunt in Alaska and took.about 25 fishing.I am 55 now and if we don't get more kids into hunting it will disappear in 20 years or less .Teddy Roosevelt saved hunting and the animals we hunt.Now it's our time to save hunting!

DSC is very involved with getting youths into hunting. They have also engaged the 25-40 year old generation with their own group. There is also a rise in young, female huntresses, i.e. Eva Shockey, Kendall Jones, etc.

I’m not that enthralled with hunting books, just as Larry. I’ve read a number of them and I’ve also stopped in the middle of many and not picked them back up again. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an avid reader. I really did enjoy the Mark Sullivan book that was part of the Stu Taylor fundraiser. Flame on...

Back in the 1970's I bought two Anschutz target rifles, a 1413 and a 1407. I paid $250 for one and $300 for the other. While the model numbers have changed they both go for over $2000 each now. Just the sights for these rifle cost over $250 each. One of my better investments

A friend in Alaska passed away they had to have four different auctions for his guns .They.had to give away all his trophies because you can't sell them in Alaska .His kids didn't want anything.but.money..They even let his house get foreclosed on and go.back.to.the bank !

quote:

Back in the 1970's I bought two Anschutz target rifles, a 1413 and a 1407. I paid $250 for one and $300 for the other. While the model numbers have changed they both go for over $2000 each now. Just the sights for these rifle cost over $250 each. One of my better investments

Bud, assuming the purchase was in 1975, that works out to 4.96% per year on the $250 rifle. Surely you've made better investments than that!

Goes to show that perhaps with a few exceptions we should own these types of things because we want to or can afford to, not based on future expectation of return.