Every hunter inevitably compiles a large lump of gear over their lifetime of hunting, whether it be from upgrading gear to get the latest fashion and technology or just replacing older gear for something new. It is hard to just discard that old hunting gear, though, isn't it? But do we need it just sitting around, taking up space? No.
Instead, clean up that old gear and sell it to make some extra cash for your next new gear purchase. It is very simple to post your used hunting gear on different social media platforms and other places on the internet geared towards selling items. It will take a little work and some simple technology skills, but it is better than having old gear sitting around doing nothing.
So instead of hoarding your old gear that you may never use again, help out a fellow hunter who might just be getting their start or are looking for cheaper options to fill their hunting addiction. Let's get started!
Gather and Clean It Up
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The first step is deciding exactly what hunting gear you want to get rid of. This could be anything from gloves you don't use anymore to the hunting bibs you only used for two seasons before upgrading, or a treestand that you no longer use. It could be anything that you think might have value to another hunter.
Your next step is to inspect the gear for quality and/or flaws. The last thing you want to do is sell something that has major flaws or a piece of equipment that may have a safety hazard. If there is an issue, be sure to make note of that and disclose it when selling to ensure a smooth sale.
Finally, clean it up and make sure that it is in good condition. If it is a piece of hunting clothing, wash it. If it is a piece of equipment, make sure it is not dirty and that it functions properly. The better shape that it is in and that you can show to a potential buyer, the better.
Information and Photos
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Once you have gathered your used hunting gear, inspected it, and cleaned it up ensuring it's in good condition, it's time to start moving towards selling it. Get your smartphone out or jump on your computer and look up the piece of gear that you have. Gather information about what you are selling so that a potential buyer doesn't need to do any more work than looking at your offer and making a decision. The more information you can gather about the product, the better.
Useful information includes operating features and key information. For instance, key information about an insulated jacket might be the materials it is made of, how much or the type of insulation it has, and other key features like zipper pockets and the like. It may not seem like a big deal, but it certainly can be to the right buyer.
Another important thing to find is what is the current price of the product new from the store or at least what you paid for the product. Knowing this will give you a better idea of what to list as the sale price and could also be helpful information by letting the buyer know what the same piece of gear will cost them if they bought it brand new. Be a salesman about it by letting them know what they stand to save buying this item from you.
Next, use that smartphone to take pictures of the gear you are looking to sell. If there are flaws or issues with what you are selling, be sure to take pictures of this aspect to disclose it to potential buyers. If you are up front about the issue and show them exactly what it is, they might be more enticed to buy it.
Where to Sell
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Once you have done the above and you are ready to sell it, where should you list it for sale? There are a variety of options, including social media, resale websites, and garage sales. Let's touch briefly on each one.
If you have Facebook, you might be familiar with their Marketplace feature that allows people sell items to one another. This is a great option and will probably give you the best luck in selling your used hunting gear because it has the best reach. Facebook makes it very simple and easy to sell your goods.
Websites like E-Bay and Craigslist have lost some popularity in the past five years or so, but they still have their uses. People tend to look here if they can't find what they are looking for on social media, meaning that this is a good fallback. Craigslist will be more local, while E-Bay will have a further reach but might mean you have to ship the gear to the buyer, which you can make them pay for.
There is also a website called the Hunting Exchange that allows hunters to post and sell their used hunting gear to other hunters. This is a great niche place where hunters can specifically come together to buy and sell used hunting gear.
Garage sales are popular in the spring, summer, and fall months, but probably have the smallest reach when compared to the options above. This might be a good place to start if you are planning on having a family garage sale, but if not, stick with one of the above options to get a faster sale.
Once you have chosen where you are going to list it or the multiple places you want to list it, create a sales post and put it out there for the world to see. Include all pictures and important information, along with your price. Be willing to negotiate the price if you truly want to get rid of your used gear.
It might take some time for the right person to come across your sales listing, but it might be worth the wait to declutter your hunting gear and put some extra cash in your pocket for that next hunting purchase. Be patient and good luck!
