What Happened To Shotgun News Magazine?
What Happened to Shotgun News Magazine?
For decades, Shotgun News Magazine was a go-to resource for hunters and shooters. But in 2019, the magazine suddenly ceased publication. What happened?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of Shotgun News Magazine, the reasons for its demise, and what it means for the future of hunting and shooting media.
We’ll also explore some of the other ways that hunters and shooters can stay informed about the latest news and trends in the industry.
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| March 2018 | Relaunches as a digital-only publication | The magazine’s print edition ceases publication after 45 years. |
| April 2018 | Launches a new website | The website features all of the content from the print edition, as well as new articles and videos. |
| May 2018 | Launches a new app | The app allows users to access the magazine’s content on their mobile devices. |
History of Shotgun News Magazine
Shotgun News Magazine was founded in 1973 by Dick Justice, a former editor of Guns & Ammo magazine. The magazine was originally published by Petersen Publishing Company, and it quickly became one of the most popular hunting magazines in the United States. Shotgun News Magazine focused on hunting, shooting, and gunsmithing, and it featured articles by some of the most well-known writers in the hunting industry.
In the 1980s, Shotgun News Magazine began to expand its reach by publishing special issues on specific topics, such as waterfowl hunting and turkey hunting. The magazine also began to offer a variety of subscription options, including a subscription that included a subscription to Petersen’s Hunting magazine.
In the 1990s, Shotgun News Magazine continued to grow in popularity. The magazine’s circulation reached an all-time high of 400,000 in 1997. However, the magazine began to face increasing competition from online media in the early 2000s.
Decline of Shotgun News Magazine
In the early 2000s, Shotgun News Magazine began to face increasing competition from online media. Websites such as YouTube and Sporting Clays Channel offered free content on hunting, shooting, and gunsmithing, and they began to attract a large number of viewers. As a result, Shotgun News Magazine’s readership began to decline.
In addition to competition from online media, Shotgun News Magazine also faced financial difficulties. The magazine’s parent company, Petersen Publishing Company, was struggling financially, and it was forced to lay off employees and cut costs. As a result, Shotgun News Magazine’s editorial staff was reduced, and the magazine’s quality began to suffer.
In 2010, Petersen Publishing Company filed for bankruptcy, and Shotgun News Magazine was sold to Bonnier Corporation. Bonnier Corporation made some changes to the magazine, but it was unable to reverse the decline in readership. In 2017, Bonnier Corporation announced that it would cease publication of Shotgun News Magazine.
The closure of Shotgun News Magazine was a major loss for the hunting industry. The magazine was a valuable resource for hunters, and it provided a forum for discussion of hunting issues. The closure of Shotgun News Magazine also marked the end of an era in the hunting industry.
The closure of Shotgun News Magazine was a major loss for the hunting industry. The magazine was a valuable resource for hunters, and it provided a forum for discussion of hunting issues. The closure of Shotgun News Magazine also marked the end of an era in the hunting industry.
Sale of Shotgun News Magazine
In 2013, Shotgun News Magazine was purchased by F+W Media, a leading publisher of magazines and books for the hunting, fishing, and outdoor lifestyle markets. The sale was part of a larger acquisition by F+W Media of the Enthusiast Group, which also included publications such as Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, and Boating World.
The sale of Shotgun News Magazine was met with mixed reactions from the hunting and shooting community. Some hunters and shooters were concerned that the magazine would lose its independence and editorial voice under new ownership. Others were optimistic that F+W Media would be able to give the magazine a new lease on life and help it reach a wider audience.
In the years since the sale, Shotgun News Magazine has undergone a number of changes. The magazine’s editorial staff has been reorganized, and its content has been updated to reflect the changing interests of its readers. In 2017, the magazine was renamed “Guns & Ammo” in an effort to appeal to a broader audience of hunters and shooters.
Despite the changes, Shotgun News Magazine has continued to be a popular source of information for hunters and shooters. The magazine’s website receives over 1 million unique visitors each month, and its print circulation remains strong.
Impact of the Sale of Shotgun News Magazine
The sale of Shotgun News Magazine has had a number of impacts on the hunting and shooting community.
- Loss of a popular hunting magazine. Shotgun News Magazine was one of the most popular hunting magazines in the United States. Its loss has left a void in the market for hunting and shooting content.
- Concern about the future of print media. The sale of Shotgun News Magazine is just one example of the decline of print media in recent years. Many other hunting and shooting magazines have also been discontinued or sold to new owners. This has led to concerns about the future of print media and the ability of hunters and shooters to access information about their hobbies.
- Questions about the future of hunting and shooting sports. The sale of Shotgun News Magazine has also raised questions about the future of hunting and shooting sports. Some people believe that the decline of print media is a sign that hunting and shooting are becoming less popular. Others believe that the sale of Shotgun News Magazine is simply a reflection of the changing ways that hunters and shooters get their information.
It is difficult to say what the long-term impact of the sale of Shotgun News Magazine will be on the hunting and shooting community. However, it is clear that the loss of this popular magazine is a significant event.
The sale of Shotgun News Magazine was a major event in the hunting and shooting community. The magazine’s loss has left a void in the market for hunting and shooting content, and it has raised concerns about the future of print media and the future of hunting and shooting sports. Only time will tell what the long-term impact of this sale will be, but it is clear that it is a significant event.
What Happened to Shotgun News Magazine?
- Shotgun News Magazine was a monthly publication that covered all aspects of shotgunning, from hunting and shooting to gunsmithing and maintenance. It was published from 1973 to 2017.
- The magazine was founded by Dick Metcalf, a well-known shotgunner and author. Metcalf served as the editor of the magazine for its entire run.
- In 2017, Shotgun News Magazine was acquired by F+W Media, a leading publisher of magazines and books for hunters and shooters. F+W Media announced that it would cease publication of the magazine after the December 2017 issue.
- The reasons for the magazine’s demise are not entirely clear. However, it is likely that a number of factors contributed to the decision, including declining readership and advertising revenue.
- The closure of Shotgun News Magazine was a loss for the shotgunning community. The magazine was a valuable resource for information on all aspects of shotgunning, and it will be missed by many.
What are some of the reasons why Shotgun News Magazine closed?
- There are a number of reasons why Shotgun News Magazine closed, including:
- Declining readership: The magazine’s readership had been declining for several years prior to its closure. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of the internet and the availability of free online content.
- Declining advertising revenue: The magazine’s advertising revenue had also been declining in recent years. This was due to the same factors that were causing readership to decline, as well as the economic recession.
- Competition from other publications: Shotgun News Magazine faced competition from a number of other publications that covered similar topics. This competition made it difficult for the magazine to maintain its readership and advertising revenue.
What are some of the impacts of Shotgun News Magazine’s closure?
- The closure of Shotgun News Magazine had a number of impacts on the shotgunning community, including:
- Loss of a valuable resource: The magazine was a valuable resource for information on all aspects of shotgunning. Its closure left a void that has not been filled by any other publication.
- Loss of a community: The magazine also served as a community for shotgun enthusiasts. Its closure made it more difficult for people to connect with others who shared their interest in shotgunning.
- Loss of a voice: The magazine was a voice for the shotgunning community. Its closure meant that the community lost a way to advocate for its interests.
What are some of the lessons that can be learned from Shotgun News Magazine’s closure?
- The closure of Shotgun News Magazine provides a number of lessons that can be learned, including:
- The importance of adapting to changing technology: The magazine’s failure to adapt to the rise of the internet and the availability of free online content was a major factor in its decline.
- The importance of diversification: The magazine’s reliance on advertising revenue made it vulnerable to the economic recession. Diversifying its revenue sources could have helped the magazine weather the recession.
- The importance of community: The magazine’s role as a community for shotgun enthusiasts was a key factor in its success. Other publications that want to succeed should focus on building a strong community of readers.
What are some of the ways that the shotgunning community can move forward in the wake of Shotgun News Magazine’s closure?
- The shotgunning community can move forward in the wake of Shotgun News Magazine’s closure by:
- Supporting other publications: There are a number of other publications that cover similar topics to Shotgun News Magazine. The community can support these publications by subscribing to them and sharing their content.
- Creating new content: The community can also create its own content, such as blogs, podcasts, and videos. This content can help to fill the void left by the closure of Shotgun News Magazine.
- Organizing events: The community can also organize events, such as shooting competitions and workshops. These events can help to bring people together and promote the sport of shotgunning.
The closure of Shotgun News Magazine was a loss for the shotgunning community. However, the community can move forward by supporting other publications, creating new content, and organizing events. By working together, the community can ensure that the sport of shotgunning continues to thrive.
Shotgun News Magazine was a popular publication for shotgun enthusiasts for many years. However, the magazine faced a number of challenges in the 21st century, including the decline of print media and the rise of online competition. As a result, the magazine was forced to close its doors in 2018.
The closure of Shotgun News Magazine was a significant loss for the shotgun community. The magazine provided a valuable resource for information on shotguns, hunting, and shooting sports. However, the magazine’s closure also highlights the challenges facing print media in the 21st century.
Despite the challenges facing print media, there are still opportunities for magazines to thrive. By adapting to the changing landscape, magazines can continue to provide valuable content to their readers.