Black Powder Hunting Magazine

[Hammerspur]

Last week my membership renewal notice from IBHA (The Intl. Blackpowder Hunting Assn.) arrived. I renewed for two years.

Yesterday the Spring issue of 'Blackpowder Hunting' came in.
IMO that once excellent publication has gone WAY downhill. What used to be a real hotbed of useful information, technical know-how and advice has devolved into a generic advertising in disguise pap-sheet. This is clearly borne out by the feature article by Jim Shockey, Prince of Shills

No product tests, no new innovations, no history, nothing but humdrum narratives about the exceedingly ordinary. One piece by the publisher covers a hunt using TC's ProHunter Encore: "The Next Generation Of Muzzleloaders" it declares. Where have these people been during the last decade, it a time warp?

It is subtitled "A whitetail hunt with a new, easy to clean muzzleloader." HUH?! I thought this was supposed to be a magazine for enthusiasts, not novices. What a piece of crap, talk about amateur hour.

I used to wait anxiously for each new issue, saved each one as valuable reference material. This latest wouldn't serve well as anything but filler for the 'water closet library.'  :?

[DanielWGriggs]

In this day of the $dollar$ does this suprise you. Not me.

I was suprised to find this sight that doesn't cost me a thing but I find so much value in it. The greybeard does ask we buy from sponsors and where I can I do.

[Hammerspur]

In this day of the $dollar$ does this suprise you. Not me.

Here's the letter I wrote them:

To the publisher:
 
    At one time I anxiously awaited each edition of Blackpowder Hunting to arrive at my mailbox. Every issue was rife with technical information, historical perspective, announcements of emerging innovation, etc... no more.
    The ebbing level of editorial quality has been evident during the last year or two. Believing that it might just be a lull, a 'correction' as it were, I didn't hesitate to renew my membership upon notice of expiration last week.
    Two days ago the Spring issue arrived. As always, the production quality is excellent, but the level of substance in terms of writing, subject matter, and useful information has sunk to a not before seen low. What had once been, in my opinion, the leading journal for coverage of all aspects of a complex, know-how intensive special interest field has devolved into a glossy, high quality brochure for the various major manufacturers of related wares to advertise and receive mention... the print equivilent of an info-mercial.
    One feature that particularly galls me is the coverage of T/C's Encore ProHunter. "The Next Generation of Muzzleloaders",,, HUH ? Where have you (or is it your demographic readership) been during the last decade, in a time warp?
    The line "new, easy to clean" in the heading is another hint of the devolution of this once excellent publication. It seems to this reader that such 'primers' for the novice had before been  relegated to the Departments to give new members advice, not featured as 'hook' catch phrase in feature articles.
     Blackpowder Hunting was, I thought, a mecca for enthusiasts who would already be well informed of most arcane particulars involved in muzzleloading and BP cartridge shooting, not a trawler for possible new customers for advertisers who might be otherwise reluctant to embark upon a hobby that might involve educating oneself first.
    At the risk of perceived character assassination, it must be mentioned that the glut of pictures, products and even featured pieces by pitchman Jim Shockey certainly pollutes the journalistic waters also. The man is a successful advertiser's model and good for him. But a multi page spread replete with photos?
    Apparently the poor business climate we find ourselves in has necessitated this shift from tome to foam... printed flatulence of no real value to the readership. Hopefully during the ensuing two years of my renewal the fortunes may improve and Blackpowder Hunting can return to it's previous level of quality.
 
                                                                                                      Steve Choiniere

[Hammerspur]

:x Addendum to previous posts:

It seems that The International Blackpowder Hunting Association, which distributes the magazine "Blackpowder Hunting'' uses AOL as it's internet service provider.

For those who don't know it America Online supports anti-gun and anti hunting lobbying groups as part of it's regular policy.

For a hunting organization to be wooing the public to join it's ranks and fork over dollars, some of which is donated to extremists who would seek to abolish our constitutional rights is hypocricy and duplicity to the nth degree.

I urge all Graybeard users who are IBHA members to contact publisher and editor Debra Bradbury and express your disatisfaction whith this arrangement.

Blackpowder Hunting                                 Tel: (307) 436-9817
P.O.Box 1180
Glenrock, WY 82637-1180                 www.blackpowderhunting.org

                                                       www.debibha@aol.com

[Hammerspur]

That should be JUST: debibha@aol.com

(Lack of sleep...)