Shooting is expensive these days... Other hobbies

[walkin jack]

Offshore fishing is my other hobby. Not cheap at all. Most of the time I settle for inshore.
And, as much as I love to shoot, my p/t job at a LGS/Indoor Range can get pretty dadgum busy, and after I've heard gunfire for 3 consecutive 10 hour days, I don't always wanna go shooting on my days off. I know, who'd a thunk it?

Offshore fishing is GREAT! For 10 years a friend of mine had a 26' SeaRay Laguna with a 200 hp saltwater Merc on the transom. The gulf of Mexico is great and we always ALWAYS came home with fish. Unlike inshore fishing they are always biting off shore. King Mackerel, Wahoo, grouper, Amber jack (we call 'em reef donkeys), Red snapper, Blackfin tuna, triple tail, yellowfin tuna, and we'd always take a trout rod for the chicken dolphin.

But the cost of a one day trip has gone from about 80 bux for gas, bait, oil, eats to about 350 bux (and we ain't even talking about the 2 and 3 day tuna trips) and to top that the limits of fish you can keep is almost down to nothing. My friend finally sold his boat. I guess I'm done off shore but I'll never forget all the great memories. I highly recommend it for the rich.

 

[old bear]

I don't know if the following count as hobbies, but I/we enjoy entertaining friends, I play a fair game of "hackers" tennis, and as strange as this may sound I really enjoy detailing the car.

 

[DesertFox]

I got in to RC helicopters over the last year or so. Actually I got in to it after the Tip-a-canoe incident with the Jones' that took my entire arsenal to the bottom of the lake. RC heli are a blast, especially the 6 channel collective pitch ones that can fly 3D. More fun than cars. Also easier to destroy...

I reload, fish, scope and glass for hunting year round, ride motorcycles, ATV, and enjoy photography. Also been performing live music in the same band for over 12 years now.

 

[mjr]

I really enjoy dealing the car.

How many times have you sold it?

 

[kozmic]

Active bicyclist. Still have my first really good bike-a 1976 Raleigh Super Course Mark II, plus 2 other 10 speeds, plus a hybrid, a mountain bike and several 3 speeds-all bought used. Cycling is a hobby where the initial outlay is somewhat high-all my bikes have lights, computers, racks, tool bags, and I am a devotee of the Brooks saddles, but once you get them set up about all you need are new tubes and tires. Build my own wheels, do all my own maintenance.

I've built a number of frame up bikes over the years. I still ride the first one I built; an old Holdsworth with a 531 lugged frame with the best components I could afford on my limited budget at the time. Including a nice leather Brooks seat. It was perfectly contoured to my butt in the early 80's but has apparently shrunk since because it now fits me like a cheap thong.

 

[Nframecollector]

Handloading, bullet casting, photography, astronomy, reading, woodworking, amateur blacksmithing to name a few!

 

[snubbyfan]

I've been doing a lot of hiking lately. I'm usually wandering around the mountains when the weather permits. When I'm home, I'm usually doing something to a hunk of leather. I've also got a garage full of power tools that I use to make stuff out of wood.
Soon I'll be getting my mountain bike out and do some riding on the trails around here.
When I got my mountain bike it was a nice light trail bike. My problem was that I kept breaking it. It was fine for smooth West coast trails but out here the trails have rocks and roots. So, I stripped it down to frame and totally rebuilt it. I then bought a frame, built another bike out of the old parts and sold that. I call my mountainbike Frankenbike, it's basically an overbuilt monster built out of components that weren't originally meant to go together. It has no reflectors, lights, guards or a kickstand. It has just what I need to make it go and stop and do trailside repairs. It can either go cross country or be used to fall off the side of a mountain. The curious thing is that after I built it and everyone told me I had built it all wrong, Bike companies started coming out with a bike called an East Coast Freeride hardtail. They used a 4 inch travel fork, shorty stems, riser bars, front disc brake and rear rim brake with oversized downhill tires and rims like my bike.
I also seem to spend a lot of time on this forum.

Got my ancient digital camera working.
And now, may I present for your viewing pleasure, Frankenbike.

 

[Poodle Soup]

I cant wait until I have a garage....

riding my bicycle, drag racing, computer games, reading, knives, and shaving..... and they are all freaking expensive.

 

[phillyfan21]

Hiking and Fishing : )

 

[DeathGrip]

I grow Orchids. Most of mine were from cuttings and rescues. I have bought a few also but I try to buy them right. Here's one that I have $15 into and about two years growth. It's now worth about $75. More at a show when it's in bloom.

 

[GregoryJ]

.....after I've heard gunfire for 3 consecutive 10 hour days, I don't always wanna go shooting on my days off. I know, who'd a thunk it?

Not hard to understand this at all.

For many years my primary hobby was electric trains. Over the years I had HO, and "N" scale, but main interest was Lionel trains. A few years ago I got a job managing a train store. Killed my interest in trains almost completely. Selling some of my train accumulation has helped finance other hobbies. Besides this hobby, I do woodturning. Talk about expensive. The lathe is just a big down payment. The real expense is all the tools and accessories (chucks, sharpening system, bandsaw - to cut turning blanks from trees) and there is always something else to buy. Think ammo is costly, try buying a hunk of some exotic wood.

 

[Hodgin]

Woodworking has been my hobby for 10 or so years. I'd shot maybe 5 times since I got out the Guard in 1977. Just recently renewed my interest in shooting. Woodworking will remain my main hobby.

As far as expense, woodworking can become seriously expensive quickly, depending on which direction ones goes. I had a few guns but purchased a M&P 9c yesterday, which I plan to carry. IMO, guns aren't "overly expensive" for what you get(at least not the ones I was in the market for). Ammo is an entirely different story, however.

 

[snubbyfan]

As far as expense, woodworking can become seriously expensive quickly, depending on which direction ones goes. guns aren't "overly expensive" for what you get(at least not the ones I was in the market for). Ammo is an entirely different story, however.

My woodshop started out as a cinderblock garage with a gravel floor and no power. I had our electrical service increased from 100amp to 200amp and had a sub electrical box installed in the garage and a concrete floor poured.
After that I ran the Romex and installed the lights, switches and outlets including a designated 240volt circuit for the table saw. Built the benches and everthing else I needed including my custom built router table.
After I hung my hammer collection on the wall and filled the fridge with beer I was all set.

 

[Frank46]

I get the basement cleanup and putting up shelves pretty much. I cleaned up the garage and had all sorts of room after a lot of junk was thrown out. then my wife (God bless her) decided it was a good place to store all them big rubber made totes. There must be close to 50 in there. At least she left me enough room so I can get to my lathe. Frank

 

[snubbyfan]

I get the basement cleanup and putting up shelves pretty much. I cleaned up the garage and had all sorts of room after a lot of junk was thrown out. then my wife (God bless her) decided it was a good place to store all them big rubber made totes. There must be close to 50 in there. At least she left me enough room so I can get to my lathe. Frank

We have a finished attic, I installed a 20 foot clothes rod. Our attic is all hers to use as a huge walk in closet and she can keep all her clutter up there. My garage is Man's land, no wife clutter allowed.

 

[carpriver]

this time of the year it's the yard and garden. Photography, reloading, just bought a dual fuel smoker, roast coffee, read, In the winter it's moving snow. I tinker with my Harley.

 

[Ranger514]

Dual Sport motorcycle touring is my main fair season diversion. I enjoy exploring old roads and camping. I still like to backpack with friends a few times a year, and I hunt in the fall and winter.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Archery.

Cheap because I can re-use the "ammo" by just walking up and pulling my arrows from the target!

 

[williamlayton]

I have enjoyed shooting since I was a small boy.
I also have enjoyed golf with the same passion since I was a teenager. I am now 72.
I play golf more than I shoot but I shoot with the same passion as I play golf.
I build golf clubs, work on the, change them---always searching and experimenting.
I don't reload anymore as I just don't enjoy the process anymore---used to.
I have as many clubs as I do guns---maybe more and I have a number of each.
Golf is a game for idiots who enjoy frustration and are very masochistic by nature. Do not take it up---it will drive you nuts and for me that was not a long drive.
Blessings

 

[old bear]

How many times have you sold it?
Reply With Quote

Apparently once too often, if I got caught that easily