The Only Magazine...

[K. Mogensen]

I got my latest issue of Trad bowhunter magazine in the mail yesterday. Obviously I had to look at it right away, but I noticed something a bit different. When I get other magazines, the first thing I do is look at the stories to see what if there is anything good to read. However, when I get my TBM, I look at all of the ads throughout the entire magazine before I even glance at the stories. Something about seeing the new bows, seeing new pictures of old bows, arrows, gear, etc. However, I can't stand ads in the other magazines. TBM is the only one...

[Mike Most]

Quite interesting, in the way mags are read. I do a glance thru for the adds then read the articles from the back to the front go figure....  

[Bowwild]

That's odd. I'm the same way about TB. On the other hand I HATE all the ads in the other sporting mags.

I'm sure it is the recurve bows that draw my attention.  

I don't subscribe to TB and I don't buy every issue I see. If the articles aren't my cup of tea I leave it for the next browser.

I like traditional hunting stories. I like features about recurve bow builders. I don't care for articles about archery crafting. My favorite hunting subjects are sheep, moose, & goats .... stuff I can barely imagine hunting.

[slivrslingr]

Been a subscriber for a long time, 12-13 years now.  It's one of the only magazines I read the entire thing, cover to cover, the others are Bugle and Dirt Rag (a mtn. biking mag.).  I don't particularly like mainstream periodicals, too much fluff.

[IndianaBowman]

TBM and PBS are about the only mags I read these days.

[LV2HUNT]

What months is this issue? What is on cover? I cannot remember what months my last one was and am desperate for a new one.

[cyred4d]

Hope it is time for a new one. I am more than ready.

[JamesKerr]

I agree. I love TBM

[donnyjack]

I'm with you Indiana Bowman TBM and PBS.  I've let the rest of them go !!

DJ

[luvnlongbow]

Glance through on receipt at the adds. Then read the articles in no particular order. If it strikes me right away I read it.

Joe

[hammer08]

That's funny, I do the exact same thing! It's the only magazine that I will read cover to cover as well.

I do that with Trad Archer's World.....with TBM, I look at the index of articles first.

[PaddyMac]

2¢

I used to be in the outdoor press, and I never forget that I'm paying for the information I'm reading. There's a lot of copy in TBM that I just don't think is very valuable. On the other hand, I really like the letter from the editor, the interviews (s/b more), the bow reviews GFA's column, basically all the standing columns, but the features can be a little fluffy. There should be some geek feed on carbon arrow consistency standards, string material tests, etc. etc. The kind of stuff that is difficult to pull off. Me & Joe stories can be very good but there just aren't that many Robert Ruarks out there any more. I'm just saying that there is a difference between what I like to read and what I think is valuable enough copy to pay for.

For example, last issue had a coverline feature about budget 3D targets, basically quaker oats boxes and liquid laundry detergent containers filled with Great Stuff foam and set up on little legs. I'm not criticizing the piece; I'm just saying that it's not up to the level of information that you pay for. My first reaction when I saw the photo spread was, "I'm paying for THAT? Are you kidding me?"

I'm mean look around this site or any of the other trad forums. It's free and as far as I'm concerned it is way more valuable than anything I pay for on paper. That's why I became a contributor here: the information is relevant, actionable and valuable because it benefits me directly and right now. Just Rob's arrow video alone is worth the $20 contributor price, not to mention Terry's shot clock. Then there is the shooting video feedback... on and on. I just can't help comparing information I'm paying for against information I'm not paying for.

I do like the ads. Advertising is better on paper than on-line, but websites are better than paper ads. I've bookmarked just about every sponsor on TG and there aren't that many in TBM that aren't also on here.

If I have to pay for information, I want the kind of information I can't get for free. I used to run an outdoor publication that sold for $49 a year, so I know what kind of information that is. And so do you.

And that is information that is specific that directly deals with WHERE I'm going to be hunting and what I'm going to be hunting. I know that is a touchy subject, but all I'm saying is that is the kind of information that is worth money. That's not the only kind of information that's worth paying for, but it's the most obvious.

The vertical magazines (in any genre) tend to take their paying audiences for granted -- my opinion -- and TBM is no different.

I read it, too, every issue, but I wish they were a little more diligent in getting out of the way of the Internet freight train that is clobbering the horizontal magazines (and their writers.) I want TBM to survive and thrive. I do strongly support them and have read it long before I switched over to trad.

So there.

Sorry if that was too "inside baseball"

[ken denton]

I think all of the archery addvertisers should change the photos every month and also some of the discriptions of there product! I now skip them because I have looked at them for so many months. Ken

[LV2HUNT]

PaddyMac, it is funny you mention the letters to the editor as I always complain that it takes up valuable article space. If I want that kind of stuff I just head to the internet  :D . Different strokes for different folks. Love TBM though!    

[macksdad]

TBM is definetly my favorite magazine but the first thing I look at is the readers pics. I always look to see if any tradgangers have made it in.

[Terry Lightle]

I go back to front too,thought I was the only weird one but guess not huh Mike?

[Chromebuck]

Holy inside baseball Paddy!  I concur and bacame a contributor to this site for the exact same reason.      

Spot on,

~CB

[DennyK]

Ive been with TBM since the Premier issue, only magazine I get.

[K. Mogensen]

Originally posted by LV2HUNT:
What months is this issue? What is on cover? I cannot remember what months my last one was and am desperate for a new one.

I got it on Monday. It has a picture of Ishi shooting a bow on the front of it.