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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: Tom007 on February 17, 2026, 06:30:31 PM

Title: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Tom007 on February 17, 2026, 06:30:31 PM
We will have a little fun/regret on this one. Let's see what you all come up with here. The 3-5 hunting items you regret selling/trading/giving away. Here's mine

1) LC Smith 410 side by side. Very regretful move. I sold it for $2300 dollars back in 2003. Prices were down. They made very few of these. Bad mistake. Worth a lot more now

2) Bob Dixon Vest. I bought this when they came out. 6/7 years ago I sold it for $500. Thought it was a great deal, we all know how wrong I was. It was in mint condition. The only saving grace is, Mr. Fox replaced it and soothed my sorrow.

3) Remington S-P 10 that was customized by Mark Bansner. When Benelli came out with the SBE 3 1/2 inch twelve, I made the swap. Sold it too cheap, they are very sought after now, all going for over a thousand bucks, some breaking $2000 dollars.

These are my top 3, wish I had em all back. Looking forward to see what you all regret.

Be well, good luck this spring!
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Happy on February 17, 2026, 06:52:25 PM
I have never sold any turkey hunting equipment ...ever. I have given away a pile though.... I had some old original tree bark camo I gave away a few years ago that I kinda wish I still had.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: bigwoodstom on February 17, 2026, 07:08:31 PM
I've given away several of my Mabry boxes over the years as gifts and in retrospect I wish I'd just got them a Red Lobster gift card instead.

Good thing I still have plenty.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2026, 07:34:48 PM
Jonathan Payne push/pull
Marlin Watkins long box
Steve Mann long box
Cody pot call that was made in 2000 for Mack's prairie wing, i gave this one to a good buddies son, the others I trade and came out on the bad end of it!
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: aclawrence on February 17, 2026, 07:41:18 PM
When I was younger my dad bought me a nice Mossberg 20ga with rifle sights on it. It was blued and had a pretty wood stock. When I was a teen I think I traded it in at a pawn shop for a camo Mossberg 835 12ga. Now I would love to have that Mossberg 20 gauge back. Later I sold the 835 and got a 870 and went on to kill several turkeys with it when I first started turkey hunting. Now I'm shooting a 20ga 870 so I'm pretty much back to where I started lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Greg Massey on February 17, 2026, 07:45:09 PM
3 Items..  One was a Browning Stalker Synthetic stock 10 gauge... The Reason I sold the gun, it was like carrying a ball and chain while spring turkey hunting... LOL.

I wished now that I had kept it... It really was a nice shotgun...

I do still have some of the old Federal 4 / 6 that i look at from time to time to remind me of my love hate relationship with that mule kicker / heavy weight shotgun...

The other gun I regarded selling was a Mossberg 835 - 3 1/2 inch short barrel gun... I had a love hate relationship with it also, it was a mule kicker also... I do have some of the old Federal 3 1/2 inch shells left from that gun... lol

The last one was the first real turkey vest I bought, it was a Lynch and I sold it to a guy for 20 dollars, NOW I really do wish I had it back.. It was a shoulder strap type vest with 2 box call pockets ...
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Tom007 on February 17, 2026, 07:59:54 PM
Quote from: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2026, 07:34:48 PMJonathan Payne push/pull
Marlin Watkins long box
Steve Mann long box
Cody pot call that was made in 2000 for Mack's prairie wing, i gave this one to a good buddies son, the others I trade and came out on the bad end of it!

That Payne was probably a beauty! Wow....
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Tom007 on February 17, 2026, 08:00:34 PM
All good ones for sure.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: 3bailey3 on February 17, 2026, 08:08:05 PM
Yes that Payne was in mint condition, in the original box it came in, I think I got the Watkins box for it!
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Tail Feathers on February 17, 2026, 10:02:24 PM
Early on I passed some real nice calls out of ignorance.  Sure wish I'd bought that Cody call, the highly regarded south Texas call maker who is now gone (his name escapes me).
I have given some calls away, no regrets there, but I don't recall selling any turkey calls/gear.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: callmakerman on February 18, 2026, 03:56:34 AM
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 17, 2026, 07:45:09 PM3 Items..  One was a Browning Stalker Synthetic stock 10 gauge... The Reason I sold the gun, it was like carrying a ball and chain while spring turkey hunting... LOL.

I wished now that I had kept it... It really was a nice shotgun...

I do still have some of the old Federal 4 / 6 that look at from time to time to remind me of my love hate relationship with that mule kicker / heavy weight shotgun...

The other gun I regarded selling was a Mossberg 835 - 3 1/2 inch short barrel gun... I had a love hate relationship with it also, it was a mule kicker also... I do have some of the old Federal 3 1/2 inch shells left from that gun... lol

The last one was the first real turkey vest I bought, it was a Lynch and I sold it to a guy for 20 dollars, NOW I really do wish I had it back.. It was a shoulder strap type vest with 2 box call pockets ...
Man I thought I was the only one crazy enough to shoot a mossy 835 with 3 1/2" Federals. Still have mine and it used to beat me up pretty bad at times. Now I'm shooting a Mossberg 20ga. and loving it. I think about using the 12 then I ask myself why. Still have that Lynch vest which was my first. It's a little beat up but it serves as my scouting vest sometimes.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: gaswamp on February 18, 2026, 06:52:48 AM
have no items I regret selling or giving away.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Yoder409 on February 18, 2026, 07:18:51 AM
Quote from: Tail Feathers on February 17, 2026, 10:02:24 PM....the highly regarded south Texas call maker who is now gone (his name escapes me).

Noel Gonzales
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: mountainhunter1 on February 18, 2026, 07:39:02 AM
I gave away my Cody world class pot calls that I had (some of his very first he made) to a local church for a wild game supper for door prizes. It was the church - so it is not so much that I want them back - but I do think about what they are worth today.

I let friends talk me out of many of my Lonnie Mabry calls - and only have six of his calls today and wish I had thought that out a little better as well.

I live just 45 minutes from Billy Buice's door and never got a trumpet from him. I guess hindsight is always 20/20 but that sure was a blind man move. To my defense, I did not really get into air drawn stuff until 5-6 years ago. But still....I must have been drunk and did not even know it.

Thanks Tom007 - I will probably think about this - especially the Buice deal the rest of the day.  :-)
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: bigwoodstom on February 18, 2026, 09:15:14 AM
Quote from: gaswamp on February 18, 2026, 06:52:48 AMhave no items I regret selling or giving away.

No reason to be the odd man out here. Next time you're up here in the mountains you can just slide me a Mann box caller and then regret it later.

Field grade will be fine
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Yoder409 on February 18, 2026, 09:51:55 AM
Turkey hunting items ??

Nah.  None.  I don't sell THAT stuff.

 ;D
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: appalachianassassin on February 18, 2026, 09:57:22 AM
A Lohman Thunderdome Crystal new in the package
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Tail Feathers on February 18, 2026, 11:02:45 AM
Quote from: Yoder409 on February 18, 2026, 07:18:51 AM
Quote from: Tail Feathers on February 17, 2026, 10:02:24 PM....the highly regarded south Texas call maker who is now gone (his name escapes me).

Noel Gonzales
Yes!  Met him at a calling contest in Bass Pro.  He was complimentary of my calling and had some beautiful boxes for sale.  We talked a while but I had no idea who he was.  I was new to turkey hunting and he seemed very knowledgeable.  Super nice guy and his work was outstanding.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: ejacks10s on February 18, 2026, 11:03:02 AM
Quote from: callmakerman on February 18, 2026, 03:56:34 AM
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 17, 2026, 07:45:09 PM3 Items..  One was a Browning Stalker Synthetic stock 10 gauge... The Reason I sold the gun, it was like carrying a ball and chain while spring turkey hunting... LOL.

I wished now that I had kept it... It really was a nice shotgun...

I do still have some of the old Federal 4 / 6 that look at from time to time to remind me of my love hate relationship with that mule kicker / heavy weight shotgun...

The other gun I regarded selling was a Mossberg 835 - 3 1/2 inch short barrel gun... I had a love hate relationship with it also, it was a mule kicker also... I do have some of the old Federal 3 1/2 inch shells left from that gun... lol

The last one was the first real turkey vest I bought, it was a Lynch and I sold it to a guy for 20 dollars, NOW I really do wish I had it back.. It was a shoulder strap type vest with 2 box call pockets ...
Man I thought I was the only one crazy enough to shoot a mossy 835 with 3 1/2" Federals. Still have mine and it used to beat me up pretty bad at times. Now I'm shooting a Mossberg 20ga. and loving it. I think about using the 12 then I ask myself why. Still have that Lynch vest which was my first. It's a little beat up but it serves as my scouting vest sometimes.

I still have a Mossberg 3.5" 12 gauge.  I used to think it was the years of playing baseball & tennis that messed up my shoulder, but every spring I'm reminded "nope, it's this brute of a gun."  But that pain never feels better than it does each spring!
I've given away an HS Strut Wood Witch and Cody Woodsman and several other pot calls to kids/friends getting into turkey hunting.  At the time, they weren't worth NEAR what they are now.  Still wouldn't change a thing.  Passing it on...
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Dtrkyman on February 18, 2026, 11:28:21 AM
I gave away a mossy oak strap vest in full foliage!
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Alabama556 on February 18, 2026, 11:29:44 AM
Bob Dixon best I sold for 85.00. I bought 4 at a sporting goods store at the end of the season on a sale rack. I gave one to my brother, kept 2, and sold 1 to a friend for what I paid.

I did not even realize what I was buying I just thought it was an awesome vest. Still is my favorite vest of all time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: twyatt on February 18, 2026, 11:51:48 AM
1. My lathe
2. My other lathe
3. Bandsaw
4. Drill press

Not too many days go by that I don't regret quitting call making

Things I don't regret selling - Mossberg 535
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: crow on February 18, 2026, 12:09:11 PM
had an outstanding Russel Beard Trash mouth Hen scratch box i gave to a friend,
Replaced it with another but the first one was better. It was also better than any other scratch box I've had or tried.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: callmakerman on February 18, 2026, 01:38:06 PM
Quote from: twyatt on February 18, 2026, 11:51:48 AM1. My lathe
2. My other lathe
3. Bandsaw
4. Drill press

Not too many days go by that I don't regret quitting call making

Things I don't regret selling - Mossberg 535

I guarantee there's guys out there hoping you would get back into call making.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: NCL on February 18, 2026, 02:10:25 PM
Quote from: callmakerman on February 18, 2026, 01:38:06 PM
Quote from: twyatt on February 18, 2026, 11:51:48 AM1. My lathe
2. My other lathe
3. Bandsaw
4. Drill press

Not too many days go by that I don't regret quitting call

Things I don't regret selling - Mossberg 535

I guarantee there's guys out there hoping you would get back into call making.

You can add me into that group.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Davyalabama on February 18, 2026, 02:48:28 PM
1)  My uncle had an old 45rpm by M.L. Lynch, I don't know how I let that get thrown away in some of my aunt and granny's clean out days.

2) Bought my first turkey call at 10 - 1975.  Old Lynch two sider --- let my uncle borrow it one day in the 90's, he accidently sat back on it in his turkey vest - pop goes the weasel.

3)  I wish I still had my Drury's Turkey Whistle, just to show these youngsters what a real "turkey locater" looks like.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Yoder409 on February 18, 2026, 02:59:17 PM
Quote from: twyatt on February 18, 2026, 11:51:48 AMThings I don't regret selling - Mossberg 535


Same....only a Mossberg 835.

Clunkiest piece of plastic scrap I ever owned.  Felt like a 4x4 deckpost in my hands.

The GOOD news was....  I turned it over in under a week for a nice profit.   ;D
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: NOmad on February 18, 2026, 03:42:33 PM
My Alabama residency for a job in Texas
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: callmakerman on February 18, 2026, 03:46:48 PM
Quote from: Yoder409 on February 18, 2026, 02:59:17 PM
Quote from: twyatt on February 18, 2026, 11:51:48 AMThings I don't regret selling - Mossberg 535


Same....only a Mossberg 835.

Clunkiest piece of plastic scrap I ever owned.  Felt like a 4x4 deckpost in my hands.

The GOOD news was....  I turned it over in under a week for a nice profit.   ;D
It's definitely a brutal gun but it's also killed a bunch of turkeys. My 20 gauge with TSS is doing just fine though.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Turkeybutt on February 18, 2026, 05:04:16 PM
My first turkey gun 50 some years ago. A Marlin Mod 55 (AKA the Goose Gun) bolt action 3" magnum which I gave away. I would never use it but I should have kept it.

My first deer rifle my mother bought me when I was 15.  A single mom working a full time and two part time jobs to keep the family afloat because my father had died.
It was a Marlin 336 lever action in 35 Remington. I disliked that gun and I sold it some years ago. I tracked down the guy I sold it to but he died and nobody in the family knew what happened to that gun. I bought another one two years ago (but its not the same)and it sits up front at the door in the gun safe. Every time I open the door I see that gun and think of my mother who passed away 42 years ago.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: paboxcall on February 18, 2026, 05:19:12 PM
About 30 years ago or so, H&R single shot was the NWTF gun of the year. Not having much disposable income then, and factory Bottomland, I bought one. And of course 3.5" turkey loads because, well, because it was the biggest thing available. Shot that thing four times turning black/blue down my arm and across my chest.

That spring I had a bird at 45 yards when the clock turned noon and quitting time. I was relieved he hung up, and I didn't have to pull that trigger, so I traded that little gun for a long string of pumps...

Regretted that trade immediately as the day after finally occurred to me to shoot 3" or even 2.75" turkey loads. Couple years later this one popped up on Gunbroker with a buy now $90. Not quite as pristine as the one I traded...now I shoot Foxtrot 2.75" straight 8s Mini-Twisters. Had Sumtoy add fiber rifle sights few years back.

I regretted that trade all those years ago and fixed my poor decision making first chance I got.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52923689833_207b3311f2_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: captpete on February 18, 2026, 06:24:35 PM
I bought my 1st compound in 1987. It was a Darton SL50. I shot my 1st deer with it the year I bought it. I changed jobs, preferred duck hunting over bowhunting so I gave up bowhunting...didn't have time for both. About 15yrs later I changed jobs and got back into bowhunting. I upgraded bows and the old Darton hung in the basement. About 10-15 yrs ago I went on a cleaning spree and sold it along with a Bear Grizzly recurve my brother gave me....the 2nd thing I wish I still had.

About 35yrs ago I bought a Marlin 30-30 from a co-worker for $75. I took it to Missouri deer hunting several times. I quit going to Missouri and a friend borrowed it to go there. He used it for about 20 yrs and during my cleaning purge I sold it to him for $200.

I had a Marlin .22 that I had bought about 55yrs ago from my at the time brother-in-law. Other than a BB gun, it was the first gun I every shot. I gave it to a different B-I-L. He recently passed away, so there is a chance I can get it back.   
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: WV Flopper on February 18, 2026, 08:10:55 PM
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 17, 2026, 07:45:09 PM3 Items..  One was a Browning Stalker Synthetic stock 10 gauge... The Reason I sold the gun, it was like carrying a ball and chain while spring turkey hunting... LOL.

I wished now that I had kept it... It really was a nice shotgun...

I do still have some of the old Federal 4 / 6 that i look at from time to time to remind me of my love hate relationship with that mule kicker / heavy weight shotgun...

The other gun I regarded selling was a Mossberg 835 - 3 1/2 inch short barrel gun... I had a love hate relationship with it also, it was a mule kicker also... I do have some of the old Federal 3 1/2 inch shells left from that gun... lol

The last one was the first real turkey vest I bought, it was a Lynch and I sold it to a guy for 20 dollars, NOW I really do wish I had it back.. It was a shoulder strap type vest with 2 box call pockets ...
Dipped BPS Stalker with 26" barrel, 10 gauge. IC tube, FFIII, 8X9- 2.5 oz of TSS. The gun will shoot.

Yeah, she is a little wide in the hips, deep in the belly with a fat leg. But, when she barks.....stuff dies.

Been hunting with a 20 gauge last two seasons. When I run out of shells for the 20 I will carry the 10 again. I have 25 or so TSS for the 10. Plus, I can go back to her with copper plated sixes and have way more of a gun than the 20's with lead. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20260219/74ff01b7601bdc32a5bfdfac94f98d17.jpg)

Sent from my S62 Pro using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: crow on February 19, 2026, 12:14:09 AM
A bonus on the flip side of this.

I recently got my first shotgun back after 50 some years of it being passed to my younger brothers and then to some of their kids.

Single shot .410, strong 40yd gun with tss #9. Small game hunted it this fall,looking forward to turkey hunting it this spring.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: gaswamp on February 19, 2026, 06:14:07 AM
Quote from: bigwoodstom on February 18, 2026, 09:15:14 AM
Quote from: gaswamp on February 18, 2026, 06:52:48 AMhave no items I regret selling or giving away.

No reason to be the odd man out here. Next time you're up here in the mountains you can just slide me a Mann box caller and then regret it later.

Field grade will be fine :z-guntootsmiley:  :z-guntootsmiley:

Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Tom007 on February 19, 2026, 07:10:08 AM
Quote from: paboxcall on February 18, 2026, 05:19:12 PMAbout 30 years ago or so, H&R single shot was the NWTF gun of the year. Not having much disposable income then, and factory Bottomland, I bought one. And of course 3.5" turkey loads because, well, because it was the biggest thing available. Shot that thing four times turning black/blue down my arm and across my chest.

That spring I had a bird at 45 yards when the clock turned noon and quitting time. I was relieved he hung up, and I didn't have to pull that trigger, so I traded that little gun for a long string of pumps...

Regretted that trade immediately as the day after finally occurred to me to shoot 3" or even 2.75" turkey loads. Couple years later this one popped up on Gunbroker with a buy now $90. Not quite as pristine as the one I traded...now I shoot Foxtrot 2.75" straight 8s Mini-Twisters. Had Sumtoy add fiber rifle sights few years back.

I regretted that trade all those years ago and fixed my poor decision making first chance I got.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52923689833_207b3311f2_z.jpg)

That's a great gun, especially in that camo. I'm glad you got it back.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: gaswamp on February 19, 2026, 07:24:34 AM
Quote from: paboxcall on February 18, 2026, 05:19:12 PMAbout 30 years ago or so, H&R single shot was the NWTF gun of the year. Not having much disposable income then, and factory Bottomland, I bought one. And of course 3.5" turkey loads because, well, because it was the biggest thing available. Shot that thing four times turning black/blue down my arm and across my chest.

That spring I had a bird at 45 yards when the clock turned noon and quitting time. I was relieved he hung up, and I didn't have to pull that trigger, so I traded that little gun for a long string of pumps...

Regretted that trade immediately as the day after finally occurred to me to shoot 3" or even 2.75" turkey loads. Couple years later this one popped up on Gunbroker with a buy now $90. Not quite as pristine as the one I traded...now I shoot Foxtrot 2.75" straight 8s Mini-Twisters. Had Sumtoy add fiber rifle sights few years back.

I regretted that trade all those years ago and fixed my poor decision making first chance I got.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52923689833_207b3311f2_z.jpg)
nice shotgun
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: MISSISSIPPI Double beard on February 20, 2026, 11:05:50 AM
A number 93 Dixon vest with calls, OG push pin inlayed with Ivory and a Billy Buice Osage trumpet.
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: 3bailey3 on February 20, 2026, 06:33:18 PM
Ouch, Sippi!
Title: Re: Top 3-5 Hunting Items you totally regret selling
Post by: Gooserbat on February 21, 2026, 09:37:51 AM
Tri Star NWTF o/u twenty gauge in Mossy Oak. 
11-87 Greenleaf
Lohman Thunder Dome and Knight and Hale oll yeller I sold at a yard sale for like $5 each.