Scoop’s Books website crashed and burned

Anyone who has read my daily weblog over the past eight years knows that I write about fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation. I cover some of the Department of Natural Resources' issue, and have some 500 fishing and hunting books for sale.

A few examples of some of my outdoor books for sale.

Well, at least as of last weekend. Putting up that many books doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't happen over the period of a week or two. It takes time, lots of time, to post a write-up of each individual book and post a photo of the book to the description of each book sale.

Who knows what happened last weekend. The most common accident of all is one known as operator error. That doesn't apply in this case because I wasn't on-line nor was I working in the Scoop's Books portion of my website.

Listings for more than 500 fishing-hunting books and magazines were lost.

I opened up the machine, and went to check on the availability of a particular book on Scoop's Books, and was notified that there had been a fatal error. Everything was gone, and couldn't be found, My webmaster is a great friend, and knows how much Scoop's Books means to me, but when he tried to get in, there was that 'fatal error' message staring him in the face.

He tried to work his customary magic, but could not pull this white rabbit out of the hat. It was gone to that great never-never land in the sky … or wherever.

Anyone who wants to buy a book, I will work with you on it. I have a personal copy of the entire text of Scoop's book, but it is a voluminous documents. If you know the author and title, email the information and your message. I will comb through the files, examine the book and try to match things up with clients. I was offering a 10 percent off discount off all books, and will honor that discount until I can get my book list up and rolling again.

One of the hottest book topics right now are turkey hunting titles. I have a large number of common and very scarce books on various topics besides just common turkey books. Turkey books are increasing in value, and in many cases, I can't keep certain books in stock.

I stock many muskie fishing and turkey hunting books.

I also offer my clients counseling on trying to acquire a complete turkey library, Frankly, it is very difficult to do these days and some books are almost prohibitively expense to all but some of the wealthiest people.

I specialize in fly fishing books, muskie fishing books, duck hunting titles, decoy books, and a generous mix of other fishing and hunting titles. I also have a large number of bibliographies (books about books) on fishing and hunting related topics.These books often are used by sporting and fishing booksellers, and it allows people to study our sports from an earlier era.

I'm easy to find. Email me and put books in subject line.

Do touch base with me with any questions about certain books. I've worked on and off for more than 40 years. Feel free to quote any books with author and title name, and for me to sell books I have to buy them. I've been a full-time outdoor writer for all these years, and although my book supply peaks and ebbs, there are always some excellent titles in stock.

In the meantime, I'll try to get my Scoop's Books listing back up on the Internet so you can see what else we offer. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for your patience during this difficult period.

Buying and selling outdoor books

I spent just enough time outdoors today to shovel off the deck, say hello to my neighbor and bask in the warming breezes before it started to spit a bit of rain.

At 40 degrees, the snow is coming off the roof. I spent some time arranging and rearranging books that are for sale on my website at < www.davericheyoutdoors.com >. Some titles are once-in-a-lifetime acquisitions for any sportsmen and some are moderately priced.

It's obvious that not all sportsmen like to read books, and that is OK. They just don't know what they are missing. There are so many fine fishing and hunting books available and listed on Scoop's Books.

 Dave Richey looks over a book before buying it.

A hunter might ask: why buy a book on deer hunting? I already know how to deer hunt. Good question but a poor answer. Anyone who doesn't study deer regularly will know something about hunting these animals, but won't know enough about how to hunt them when the going gets tough.

Lots of people can cast a fly, but there are countless books available that can help with casting more accurately but also can teach us how to read the river, determine which insect is hatching, and which patterns will help fool the fish. Nothing is ever guaranteed except paying taxes until you die, but reading can broaden your horizons and help people learn new skills.

I'm constantly looking for fishing or hunting books to buy. I need to buy books in order to sell books, and I'm picky about condition but pay fair prices. So just what am I looking for and hope to buy from you?

Good question but a tough one to answer. The easiest answer is for you  to tell me the author's name, the title of the book, and whether it is a paperback or hard-bound book with a dust jacket. From that tiny bit of information, I can usually determine whether I may be or am not interested in that title.

 Contrary to popular belief, all fishing and hunting books are not scarce. Most also are not all worth big money. Many books I turn down are not worth $5, and I have no need for them. But for you, the potential seller, I will pay within reason what it takes to buy books in good shape that I want for resale.

Books with damaged covers, childish scribbles, underlined passages, highlighted sentences, damp-stained covers or those with other faults are not worth offering. I never buy musty, mildewed or ex-library books because they usually aren't worth owning.

I buy fishing and hunting books, and sell them, too. Need a gift suggestion? Contact me.

So, c'mon Richey, what exactly are you interested in? I seldom buy new titles. I never buy Readers Digest or condensed books. I prefer books that state 1st edition or 1st printing on the copyright page.

Topics of interest to me include Atlantic salmon, muskie, brook trout, tarpon, Pacific salmon, fly tying, bamboo rod building and other types of fishing books work for me. I crave good books on hunting ruffed grouse, deer, ducks, geese, upland game, wild turkey, woodcock and other hunting books. I have a mild interest in African hunting books but am picky about what I buy. I do pick up books on duck decoys.

There are certain authors I collect. Havilah Babcock, Larry Benoit, Bob Brunner, Nash Buckingham, Jack Burns, Peter Hathaway Capstick (first editions only), Russell Chatham, Wally Chodak, Eugene Connett, Ralf Coykendall, Henry Davis, George Bird Evans, William Harnden Foster, Percy Haver, Marv Heeler, Dana Lamb, Homer LeBlanc, John Lowther, Thomas McGuane, Art Moraski, Richard Nissley, Jack O'Connor,  Larry Ramsell, George Richey, Robert Ruark, Ernest Schwiebert, Louie Spray, Bob Swineheart, Robert Traver, Jack L. Turner, Ted Vogel, Alfred Weed and countless others. I'm always interested in any books written by Michigan turkey hunters like Denny Geurink.

Here some authors that I purchase. Let me know what you have,

People have nothing invested in offering me books for possible purchase. If I can't or won't buy your books, I'll be happy to explain why. If I do buy, know that I will give you the highest possible price, and hope then to be able to resell the books for a modest profit.

I've never cheated anyone, and don't plan on starting now. My reputation is excellent, and I sell books off my website and some by mail order sales. It's in my best interest to pay the highest possible price, and still realize a potential profit.

I grade books fairly, charge a fair price and pay a fair price when I buy. I've been buying and selling books for 42 years, and one doesn't stay in business long by cheating people.

Give me a try. Nasty winter weather will be around for another six to eight weeks. Dig through that pile of fishing and hunting books stashed in the attic, barn, basement, cellar, closet, garage or wherever, write down the author's name, the book title, and whether paperback or hardcover with dust jacket. If you can read this, you can certainly email me at < dave@daverichey.com > and tell me what you have for sale.

It's that easy. And who knows? The book you sell could be valuable or not, but the payment may allow you to purchase some fishing or hunting equipment. Try me and we'll see what happens.

Posted via email from Dave Richey Outdoors