A Long Overdue Magazine Update

Many of you have inquired about the next print issue of Handgun Hunter Magazine and rightfully so. I do apologize for not being in contact sooner. Not to make excuses but I was without internet access to the site for about 10 weeks courtesy of Verizon, I only got back online in early January.

The magazine is completed, but to date, there are only 385 subscribers for Vol. III. At this point, due to the number of subscribers, and zero advertising support, I cannot continue to justify printing the magazine. Considering it is a minimum of about $30,000 to print, pay for the content, and distribute the magazine I don't think any of you would disagree that's a hard pill to swallow for a one-person operation.

For the past 6 months I've been attempting to get a TV show started in the hopes that would provide another channel for advertisers and income to sustain this entire project. I thought I was very close back in August with a partnership with a company in Green Bay but they backed out electing not to enter the outdoor television market. And then the Men's Channel went bankrupt, which put even more pressure on the situation in addition to the Internet TV options which are starting to pop up. I have spoken with two other entities since the original TV deal fell through and discussions have come to a standstill with both of them as of last week. Everything seems to have gone tactical in the firearms landscape meanwhile I guess we're convicted to another season of TV shows about spring turkey hunting.

The only solution at this time seems to be taking the magazine completely digital. With about 500 subscribers at the same rate I could sustain an annual publication with the same level of quality but that decision is left to each of you an whether you want to read a digital magazine. I am setting up a web page where you can login and indicate how you want to proceed. I will, at your request, refund ($12.95) for Vol. III or I will apply the $12.95 to creating the digital version of the magazine. Please do not send me email indicating your choice as that method is entirely too hard to manage and I will certainly mis-handle someone's request.

The technology is available for digital magazine publication that provides a very good user experience in my opinion. However, you will want to have broadband internet access to take full advantage. The magazine would also be available as a digital download so you could view it off-line.

For those of you who have subscribed to all 3 issues and have not received them; Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 will be mailed tomorrow, January 11th priority mail as always.

Within a couple of weeks I will have a viewable sample of an online publication if you want to wait and see what a digital edition will look like before deciding on how you want to proceed.

If you've ordered Vol. III please indicate your preference for a refund by following the process at this page http://www.handgunhunt.com/mag_selection.php


Gary

By the way, if you received an email from me regarding the magazine it means I have a record of your subscription. If you did not receive an email from me, then I either have the wrong email address for you or none at all. Please check your spam filter before assuming I don't have your order. It looks like about 35 of the email addresses are invalid.

Sweet!!!, Im going to get my Vol's I & II... Thanks for the update, I think digital is a good idea, I'll buy it.

Glad to see you back Gary!!!! I'll give the digital zine a try.

Garry, it's great to see you back online. Happy to hear that the reason for your absence was only computer related and not something more serious ie: health. Welcome back.
Regards
Geo

Works for me!!

Duane

Glad your OK buddy, I've always believed you to be a stand up guy and figured ther were extenuating circumstances to your absencel. Glad your back and let us know what we can do to help you so we don't get so far behind again, how about raising the cost of the maz to 19.99. I know for alot of us that would be fair for what we get.
Thanks Gary,
Rod

Great to see you back Gary! I think the online version is a great idea. Hopefully subscribers will be able to load it onto disc. I would bet that within the next ten years you there won't be too many printed magazines in existance.

G'day Gary. Irrespective of what happens with the mag, I think several of us were getting worried about your welfare. Business pressures can do nasty things to a bloke's health. Great to see you back.

Great to hear from you Gary. Raise the price of the Magazine or going digital sounds good to me. I'll download on a disc and read it when ever.

Thanks,

Kennon

Glad to see you back! Hopefully you have some great hunting stories to share with us! I did not get an e-mail from you this last time. I did earlier on your last update, let me know what I need to do to communicate that info with you. How long would the digital version of the magazine take to get up and running? Again glad your back, you have been missed!

Gary, For those of us that DID subscribe, but did NOT get an email from you, what do you require us to do??????

BTW, I know based on 400 subscribers and $33,000 to print it works out to $75 per person. What else can be done to get it to print? I really like the magazines version, and would prefer it to just printing out a printed paper copy of the mag.

Thanks
Rob

Hey Rob,

I figured out the problem. You should receive an email this morning. I do have you as a subscriber.

I would also like to thank everyone for their understanding. I know there are probably a number of you that would much prefer a print magazine over a digital one but at this point I don't see any way around it. Much larger publications than mine have had to go digital to stay afloat, albeit not in the outdoor industry, usually they just fold up.

Gary,
Glad to see you back too. I admit I was concerned for you as a person. Will be glad to help and I would pay for a digital magazine.
Sent you an email.

Thanks Gary, I got the email this morning.

I will definitely be on board for the digital magazine.

Looking forward to it.

Rob

Hey Gary, could the digital mag be something you could burn to a disc and sell that way? Then "hi-speed" internet access would not be nessacary for optimum viewing.

Well the problem with that is then I still incur the costs (and time) of potentially burning hundred's of DVD's and postage and packaging to mail them. Also, the "off-line" experience would be quite different. If that's something that everyone really wants then I might have to investigate a solution but I know regardless of the solution not everyone will be happy about it.

I would be willing to pay $19.95 for an offline CD version. Hey with something like that you could include some video. I'm I starting to get your wheel turning? LOL<LOL

Tig, is that a wink wink nudge nudge hint hint?

Duane

That's a great idea, get the TV show and the magazine all in one! I'd pay more for it!

If everyone thought the way you guys do I wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place.

I think right now there are going to have to be small steps to get things back on track and see how it goes.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE INFORMATION, SO PUT MY MONEY TO WHAT EVER WAY IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE FOR THE MAGAZINE, BE IT PRINT OR ELECTRONIC.

ROBERT ELSTUN

Gary,Glad your OK!

I was starting to worry something had happened health wise. I'm glad all is well!

I would be more than Happy with the on line solution. Most of my reading is done on the net anyway.

Jeff

I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE INFORMATION, SO PUT MY MONEY TO WHAT EVER WAY IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE FOR THE MAGAZINE, BE IT PRINT OR ELECTRONIC.

ROBERT

Glad your back Gary, I haven't posted in a long time either for various reason's, Put the $$$ where it will do the most good. Love to see a TV show about us handgunners.

Shortgun

Hell Gary I'm with the others put it to good use, I'll read it hat in hand or on the net

Glad you're back Gary, good to hear you're ok and good to hear an update on the magazine. Obviously you've been busy! Keep us posted on magazine issues (hard copy and E-zine). Hope you've got some good huntin' tale's to share also. When you get a little spare time, hope you can get the "Member's Only" area back up-and-going. Appreciate all the hard work you've done. The first two issues of the magazine are awesome, who's to say they want become collector items. I can't immagine the pressure you've been under, just keep your head high, and a good attitude and everything will work out.

kral

GARY, WHATEVER YOU DO IS FINE WITH ME...I CAN`T IMAGINE WHAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH JUST SO HANDGUNNERS CAN HAVE THIS EXCELLENT SITE AT THEIR FINGERTIPS. I KNOW THAT I WOULD NEITHER HAVE THE TIME OR THE PATIENCE TO DO HALF OF THE THINGS INVOLVED IN KEEPING THIS SITE ONLINE NOT TO MENTION HAVING THE MAGAZINE PUBLISHED. I`LL NOT EVEN TOUCH THE PART ABOUT TV SHOWS.....
I WILL BACK ANY DECISION THAT YOU FEEL IS GOOD FOR THIS SITE AS IT IS THE ONLY REAL HANDGUN HUNTING SITE ON THE WEB. GOD BLESS
SINCERLY, JAMES

Glad all is well, and happy to have found the site! Looking forward to Vol I and II, and would welcome Vol III digitally, whether online or any other media.

iam good with an online magazine and im cant wait to get vol I and II.Iam just happy to be part of this great forum.

I want my money back. Keep everyone posted on how many hoops we have to jump thru to get it.

You are a tool, do us all a favor when you get your money and go back under your rock.

Gary,
Lot's of different ideas out there. Personally I'd still like to have the magazine...but as a businessman I understand the difficulties you are facing. My first choice would be a DVD or CD format even if it costs more and then the online feature. Most, if not all, of the serious handgunners are with you and will support you as long as we are kept in the loop(which you have initiated with your email and online message). Thanks for the hard work.

John (katcher)

Glad your back Gary! I would be willing to pay extra to get a DVD/CD copy. But, if we have to go the online avenue, so be it. I'm with helping you make it a painless as possible.


Mike

Subsciber, Send me a pm or e-mail of how much and where to send your refund and I will personally put it in the mail today . That way you won't have to jump through any hoops.
You have no info in your profile, only 12 posts and now you are complaining. Some of us that have been on this site since it started want to keep it going and myself would donate the price of the magazine (about the price of a box of ammo) to keep things up and running.
Don't go away mad, just go away.

Mike

Personally, I think that there are users on this form that have taken other screen names to complain. They are afraid of using their usual name for one of several reasons. If you don’t like what is going on, get your money and please stop using this form. I know that I sound harsh and I know I have only been using this form for 5 months, but enough is enough. There has been logical explanations for Gary’s problems and quite frankly, I think if you really want something to complain about, write your congressman about gas prices. Maybe you will do us all some good!!!

Duane

Sorry about the venting.

Gary,
I like the magazine format, the first 2 were great. With that said I'll subscribe again with what ever format you choose. Glad to have you back on line. Also I did not get an e-mail from you but I think you have my work e-mail address. I'll check that out on Monday.
Ty

My user name is the original one I subscribed with, I'm not hiding anything. First let me say that I have both copies of the magazine that were printed,and I think they're great, as a matter of fact I sent in a subscription when the mag got started and it was anticipated on being several issues per year. I'm not bashing anyone, Gary offered anyone that wanted their money back that option, which is the one I chose. The original reason I joined this site was to find out why my check had been cashed and my product not sent. Doesn't it seem ironic that after some members discussed persuing some type of action Gary suddenly shows up with and explanation? What I do with my money is no ones business. It took Gary 12 days from the time I mailed my payment to the time he cashed it. I've emailed him in an attempt to keep this private as I figured some of his boot lickers would bash me for wanting resitution and I was correct. Also I called leaving messages trying to rectify the situation and he blew me off like he has everyone else. Think about this before you bash me again; it took 12 days including transit time in the mail to cash my check, but it has taken 7 months for his "long overdue reply". All I wanted was 30 seconds in the last 7 months for him to say I've run into delays. I just think the way he has handled this whole situation is very unproffesional and its probably the reason the mag hasn't got off the ground. I also believe that there are more "out here" that feel the way I do than you'll ever know. I personaly don't have a problem with anyone here and couldn't care less if you want to pay for this website, but I don't/won't. If I get my refund I'll never be back and he can terminate my membership thats not a problem.

"Boot lickers" Too funny.

Mike

Don't let the door hit ya' where the good lord split ya'!!!

Sorry, that was a little rude, but let me explain my point of view. From day one I have looked at the magazine as an investment in an activity I deeply enjoy. Like all investments, some pay off, some don't. I don't mind putting out my measly $15.00 in an attempt to help this succeed.

I have only met one person from this forum, by chance, when I met him at the gun range we both happen to be members at. However, I do feel a friendship with many people on this forum. I worry about them when they have medical issues and wonder what is going on when they have not come around in a while (anybody heard from Vance in AK?).

It is with that mindset that I have paid for the magazine. I know this is a business and I understand some peoples frustration, but I look at it in a different way. When I loan a friend or a family member money (especially such a small amount), I do it knowing that whether I see the money again or not, I am not going to let that come between us. I had no idea the cost involved with publishing the magazine, knowing that now, I am amazed that it ever came to be in the first place. I may come across as being a little naive to some, but that is just the way I see it.

Subscriber, I think the only reason you got any heat from anyone is because of the way you worded your post.

A simple------- Gary, I would like a refund. Let me know if I need to do anything to receive it.

Thanks,
Subscriber

No one would have even commented.

No one is happy about the situation with the magazine, but for me $15.00 is just to small of an amount to loose any sleep over.

As for Bootlickers

Most of us have been on this sight for many years and consider him a friend. We appreciate all the hard work he has done for our sport. Yes,Gary should have kept us better informed, but in my opinion he has earned a lot of leeway in such matters.

Jeff

I guess I,m in for the digital magazine too !!

Only because you are afraid of getting grilled like subscriber! hehehe!!

You coming to the shoot in April??

Hhmm....being listed as a Mod should make me refrain from such childish banter......but I did get a chuckle out of that!!



I guess I should be called the A#1 Bootlicker then. I was looking at this site before it even became public!! Why you ask?? I moved to VA for my first job. I was in a strange land full of really strange people (I was close to D.C so that should explain). I met Gary through another shooting website and he offered to take me shooting and hunting. He did not know me from an axe murder!! After some talking he gave the web address I was a "member" from before you had to register! Just b/c I liked his idea I started writing articles for the site. Why does he publish my stuff? Don't really know...may he just felt bad for me!!

I called Gary the other day and said that he better tell you guys something about the mag status. Why did he answer my call? Don't know...maybe cuz he kows my number. I don't answer calls from strange numbers either....and the FACT that he had no online access to address anyone's orders may have been a contributing factor to him not answering your calls. Did my call make him post? Doubt it...maybe the FACT of just getting internet access returned to his house helped!!!

Ok guys please lets not turn this into a flame war. If anyone wants their money back that's fine; I'm more than happy to comply. I just have to be able to track who is asking for the money. I'll have something in place tomorrow evening so you can make a request.

Damit...is being a "bootlicker" a bad thing????

Shoot.......... and here I tho't we were all just good ol' boys that enjoyed the same hobby...hmmmm. And besides...nobody says that to my face anyway....You figger it out...We're like a family at times, you like 'em and you don't but you don't talk bad to or about each other. So I'm with Gary, I'll stick up for him, back him up or whatever else we need or should do, mostly because that's the right thing to do..... And I'm a new member, only been here over a year or so.

katcher

Can we still subscribe for #3.

I prefer print but since my first magazine fell apart, (from use), wouldn't mind trying digital.

Use to really like the articles on this site when they were done.

Gary, thanks for the email. i too am on board for the digital version or a dvd version. the website is very high quality, and i could only imagine what a dvd version would be like!

My fellow hunters, I am sorry if I went too far. Electricians, plumbers (no offence James), cable providers, etc… have screwed me! It was a lot more than 15 dollars and there was nothing I could do about it. At least with this web sit I was getting some retribution for my return!

I have some other thoughts and commits, but I see it best to keep them to my self for once.

Duane

My goodness. I've been mute on this subject although I have opinions. I'm just happy to have been able share with this family for going on 5 years now. I have gained an untold wealth in education from the real experience of the membership, and hope I have been able to return some of that in kind. I would gladly subscribe even if only to continue the experience I have enjoyed all this time for FREE. If a few dollars invested therein goes beyond into new frontiers, by all means count me in. Some things could have been handled differently, no question, but we all have been down that road in our lives a time or two. Good to have you back Gary, and thank you for all you have done. What began as a search for info on the 445 SMAG all that long ago has become a daily presence in my life and I am truly grateful.

Ohhh well, there'll always be that 1 in every crowd, and the funniest part about is that they never know they r the 1. I mean think about it--have u ever met one of them that ever admitted they were 1?

I'm with ya' Gary. U've paid for this forum, and never asked for a penny. That's class enuf for me.

Gary, I'm for whatever gets the info to us at the most cost efficient way.

Glad to hear from you again!

How long do you think it would take you to get the digital version up and running? I only ask because I am hungry for some more reading material.

Well I can have a sample up in maybe 10 days or so but the full version is going to take a little bit of time.

If you are interested in seeing what might be available in a digital format I will have a sample up in another week or so and you can decide at that time. It will take a bit of time to get a full digital version up because the entire layout has to be redone. Magazines are vertical and computer screens are horizontal; believe me I wish there was another way.

Hello Gary. Nice to finally see you back. Like others I was worried more about not getting your fine magazine then about losing my money. I had purchased a second copy of Volume III for my dad. I have received two separate emails so I know you have both orders. Since I am online alot (more then I should be) I have no problem with the digital version for me. My father on the other hand is not exactly savvy when it comes to computers. Is the magazine format saved in any program that could be printed from even if it was a simple ink jet? My idea is that if it was made in page maker for example, that you could offer that file as a download for people who have that program to print it out with. I don't mind using our copier at work to print out my dad's copy. Just a thought. I have almost every program known to man so for me (and others I am sure) it would be easy to do. Otherwise, can you make sure that the digital version is printable too? Keep my money and continue with your venture. I sure do miss the great articles and the quality magazine.

Robb Feldhege

Rob - the option I'm about 90% sure I'm going to go with allows the download of a pdf version. pdf's print great but they don't have a very good user experience for online viewing.

That is Great News Gary!!

Damn nice magazines and I am sure the Digital version will be of the same high quality.

Stay healthy bud and Happy New Year,
Mike Sirois

All 384 of you would have to cough up an additional $65.00 and I would really have a hard time trying to sell that notion personally. It costs about $30K to produce the magazine and distribute it.

Gary, i don't know anything about publishing, but had u considered trying to contact Krause Publications, or maybe Harris Publications to keep the hard copy going??

Gary count me in i don't want a refund for volume III. I will be happy with a digital version. I can't donate 30000 dollars but would be happy to donate more to our sport.Please let me know if money sent to you would be welcomed to get the digital magazine up and running or help contribute to other areas of the website.It is a exciting time to be a handgun hunter with all the new calibers that gun makers are coming out with for the short gun. However i know more than ever that i need to be proactive in keeping the handgun hunting sport alive by contacting my lawmakers and helping communties like this one on the web.
Neil

I'm all for digital. Count me in.

Gary,

I'll gladly take the digital version, and if $65 is what it takes to get a print version you can count me in too! I would consider it the fee for getting to use your fine website on a daily basis. For that matter, if you need $65 to repay several of the whiners on this site just email me the address to send it to as I had a subscription to a professional journal that folded that cost me $500, and it wasn't near the quality of your work.

Jarod Hanson

Glad to see ya back Gary iam good with on-line or printed dont matter to me .

There you have it from a recent study by the University of So. Cal.

Web users are even more satisfied with the sites they frequent, with 83% saying most or all of the information on such sites is reliable; that's the same proportion as in 2006 and up from 81% in 2005.

In fact, some mainstream media news sites are viewed as so good that Web users no longer see a need for hard copies. One in five, 21%, have canceled subscriptions to newspapers or magazines because they're accessing the content online, while 27% said they wouldn't miss hard copies if they were no longer available.

Happy having the digital version, BUT I still prefer in print. I have trouble reading, concentrating, and focusing when it is on a screen. I really enjoy a good book or magazine over the internet pages. I also enjoy my library of coffee table style books. BUT, I will be happy with the digital version of the magazine to not having a magazine at all.

Honestly Spencer I prefer print for some things and web for others. I think the difference lies in information or a magazine/book that I would want to keep vs. things that are throw aways. For me so many of the hunting magazines are now throw aways when they used to have something in them that was worth reading and that I wanted to keep. I still have a few magazines and annuals from the early 80's onward that were related to handgun hunting but I rarely keep a copy of a magazine these days. I'm working on a couple of ideas that if I can get some industry support for maybe we can have print back again one of these days. For now though the support just isn't there to justify the cost.

Count me in...$65 bucks for a mag/book that I can read over and over....priceless!

John

I feel the same way. I use to subscribe to 6 or 7 hunting and gun mags. I subscribe to only two now. If I see something that catches my eye on the news stand I will buy it for that article alone. Read the article if it's a good one, tare it out and put it in a file and throw the rest of the mag away.

I've been reading all of this with a lot of interest, and now would like to put my two cents in, and it's probably not even worth that much. On one side of the coin, I've been in business for myself all of my working life. Whenever I've committed to provide a product or service, I've done it. Lost some money, made some money. If I sign a contract with a customer for a $$ amount, then see where I've messed up and not charged enough, it's my tough luck. Bite the bullet, do what you said you'd do, and try to do better next time. I'd like to see Gary take the hit on this mag. that he promised us, then keep it going, raise the price to what it takes, we would all stick with him.
On the other side of the coin, this is not a big hit for each of us, but is for Gary, so I'll go with the flow, whatever I get will be fine. After all, I've enjoyed this web site for a while now and it hasn't cost a dime. The two mags I did get are great, certainly not throw-a-ways. I credit Gary with getting a great thing started, and hope he can figure out a way to keep it going. I know what he's up against, handgun hunting is a very very small piece of the gunworld pie. I applaude him for what he's done. I've never met him and probably never will. But Gary, I appreciate the e-mail, and whatever you do, I'm fine. Thanks, Steve

I see where you are coming from, but IMO $24,500 is way too big a hit to expect anyone to take with only around $5,500 coming in.

Hi everyone--I havent been around to much since i moved down here to the Lonestar State and when I looked in on the forum and saw that we could get to read our next issue soon I was thrilled. I dont care if I get a paper print mag, digital mag or have to read it on a roll of camo toilet paper--I am just lookin forward to reading about real hunting again. Sittin in a heated blind with an easychair, TV, microwave, etc and watching a feeder all day with a sniper rifle aint huntin--but you cant tell these yahoos down here that. Matter of fact--I gave up the whole 07-08 season cause I couldnt afford the "mortgage" of a deer lease here. So, here I sit with magazine in hand and the hunting channel dryfiring at game and wondering what Im doing here.
Gary--whatever you have to do with the mag is fine by me. Be it paper, digital, morse code (or the toilet paper idea) my money is yours. Just glad to hear your in good health and back in the saddle.
Good luck with whatever outcome you have with this and Im lookin forward to another good read. And Thanks for the hard work and effort you put into this job.
John