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'!!!