It Was A Mix Up – Big Time!

by Curt Wells • April 18, 2012 • 22 comments

Consider this something of a pre-emptive strike.

Those of you who subscribe to Bowhunter Magazine, or buy it on the newsstand, will see something in our June “Gear Special” issue that may seem out-of-place. You will discover a full-page ad on page 27 that shows a crossbow.

I wanted to jump right out front, before this issue gets to our subscribers, and assure everyone that this was a miscommunication and an oversight. We screwed up. How does that happen? Well, in this digital world things happen quickly and often with a simple click. The ad features a Trijicon ACOG bowsight that was designed for crossbows – not the compound bow AccuPin sight, which we covered on page __ of the issue – and which had launched in this magazine a year ago.  Trijicon’s new ACOG crossbow sight ad ran recently in our sister publication, Petersen’s Bowhunting. Late in the production process, after most of us had turned our attention to the July issue, Production loaded up the ad and we didn’t pick it up in digital proofing. When we saw advanced copies, we started looking for the defibrillators.

Why is this a big deal? Because, at Bowhunter Magazine we do not cover crossbows and we don’t run hunting stories that include the use of crossbows. Why? Well, put simply, for the exact same reason we don’t run ads or stories about fly fishing, kayaking, or home decorating. We only do what we do — cover bowhunters and bowhunting.

We have nothing against crossbows. If you want to hunt with a crossbow and they are legal, have at it and have fun. Trijicon’s new crossbow sight is top of the line. But, if you want to read about crossbows you’ll have to go elsewhere, such as Petersen’s Bowhunting and other publications.

This certainly has nothing to do with Trijicon. They make outstanding products, including precision targeting systems that help save the lives of our troops. We simply had a misstep that went unnoticed before the magazine was printed. I’m still not clear how this happened but as editor, it’s on me.

The most important thing for all of you to know is that this doesn’t signal any change in our editorial policy at Bowhunter Magazine. We are a bowhunting-only publication that covers hunting with compound and traditional bows.  I wanted to make that clear before the deer droppings hit the fan.

Thank you for understanding.

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  • John V, Iowa

    Glad to hear that Bowhunter Magazine has not changed its policy regarding crossbows. Bowhunter has a lot of long time subscribers who refuse to purchase other "bowhunting" magazines that promote crossbow use and have an "anything goes" attitude about our sport. There are many reasons why Bowhunter sells the most copies of any bowhunting magazine, and this is one. I hope the owners of Bowhunter understand that it would be a bad business decision to change the policy towards crossbows. I have been a loyal subscriber to Bowhunter since Volume 1, Issue 2. I will immediately drop my subscription if Bowhunter ever changes their policy.

  • RH0533

    And many of us shoot both or grew up shooting one and now shoot the other. Your attitude, well stinks. I'll never buy another issues or support advertisers in your mag.

  • Matt, Wisconsin

    I have to admit, I hate on a certain tv series, these morons use a crossbow and in no way are limited physically. I refuse to watch the show. That being said, I respect those that still have the desire and passion for archery hunting but have sustained health problems or are limited from birth. I learned early on in medical classes that we are all T.A.B.'s (Temporarily Abled Bodies) At any moment we could become sick, injured, ect. I know I would still want to experience my love of the outdoors and archery if that should ever happen to me. No harm, no foul for myself and the add, just wouldn't want to read any crossbow info at this time.

  • dave easton

    Having been a subscriber for about 4 decades I slammed the issue down on the deck table when I saw it. Woke people up in the house. Having been in the printing publishing business for 35 years I realize one of the poorest things in publishing now is that NOONE sees a final proof and all the proofreaders in the world are dead. Too bad it happened but it would seem that a full-page full color ad should be seen by the editor. dave easton manhattan, ks

  • 4corn

    it has to say alot about your subscribers when you need to devote a blog entry to why an advertisement was inadvertantly inserted into your magazine. this is one of the reasons i chose petersen's over bowhunterand why i dropped ny bowhunter. what a bunch of babies

  • Eric

    "Wow!!" is all I can say. I have hunted with compound bows for years until my shoulders forced me to switch to a crossbow. However, I can say that every deer I have taken with a crossbow while on the ground (which is the only method I hunt) I could have taken with a compound bow. The so-called purist of the sport need to open their eyes and welcome the crossbow hunter. Crossbows do not offer the huge advantage that some may believe…you still need to get close to a deer just like a compound bow. If any arguments are to be made agaisnt the use of crossbows, let it be from only the longbow hunter as modern compound bows with the best arrow rests, sights, and tremendous let off basically shoot themselves.

  • Tim

    Boy all you babys wait till your shoulders go out and can't pull bow back. THEN YOOU WILL EAT YOUR WORDS About crosbow use. I have been a archery since 1972 seen it all and now use a crossbow becouse of bad shoulder can't we all get along?

  • Martin Wiseman

    Wow oh Wow !!! Personally I like using a crossbow. This was the first year I subscribed to the bowhunter magazine and because of their one sided blind views towards crossbow users it will be my last for this magazine.

  • CalebWoodburn

    I am a United States Marine, and was shot in the shoulder in Afghanistan and lost all strength in my right shoulder. Even after the injury and having every reason to switch to cross bow I refused and will always refuse to even pick up a crossbow. And last time I was home in WV they were trying to legalize a crossbow season. I hope they do not and if any state allows crossbows it should be for handicapped and wounded warriors only, and anybody caught using one without either of those two reasons should pay a heavy fine.

    • David

      Wow, i don't actually hunt at all these days, but I would hate to hear what your thoughts are on hunting with a rifle? I have to respect bowhunters, as it takes a great deal of patience and skill, but why disparage other types of hunters? If you are eating it and not wasting it, hunting with any type of tool is more commendable than going to the store and buying your meat from the supermarket…..

  • Dale Garrard

    Thanks for getting this out there. I dropped my subscription to Petersons when they started a crossbow collumn, and started subscribing to Bowhunter.

    I agree that crossbows are a fun way to hunt- but they don't belong in a season that is set aside for bowhunters.

    Drawing a bow gets you busted, and thereby it ups the skill ante considerably. The range, shot selection, game savvy, etc. may be the same for someone shooting a crossbow as a real bow, but that act of drawing is HUGE.

    That being said, I fully support the use of crossbows during archery seasons by hunters whose bodies preclude the use of compound or traditional bows.

    Thanks for making this clear, Curt.

  • Brian carpenter

    Hang in there Bowhunter. Crossbows should not be included in archery only seasons unless there is valid medical reason. Many of your readers support this stance 100%. You guys do a great job. Brian C

  • Bill

    It's quite simple actually, crossbow hunting is not bow hunting. I love how we criticize an editorial choice to stick to the roots of their publication. In this day and age of political "correctness" I raise my glass to people who stick to their guns (errr bows in this case). Start a crossbow hunter magazine but don't pander to those who would further dilute bow hunting.

  • Andrew

    I loudly applaud bowhunter for your stance on the arrow guns. I refuse to acknowledge them as a bow. Bows are drawn not cocked. You that are lacking bowhunting ability might as well rifle hunt. Dont get invade my bow season with your scoped gadgetry. Andrew from KS

  • John ODonnell

    Happy and gratified to see Bowhunter Magazine has not caved in to the ATA regarding crossbows. It is not archery equipment and its users are not archers so it is with much appreciation that I applaud your stand on this issue.. I hunt with firearms but am bound and determined to keep archery season for ARCHERY in my home state of New York. Crossbows can be legally used along with there sibling firearms during the gun season. Thats not where they want to be but its where they belong'.

  • kevin crossbow gray

    people get off your high horse. hunting is hunting. as long as it is legal, and your having fun, do it.we crossbow hunters pay for the right to hunt like everybody else. i've seen some pretty fancy sights on bows, and most releases have a trigger on them just like a gun or a “crossbow”!!

  • John

    using a crossbow is bowhunting, grow up and recognize the true facts. I injured my shoulder and wasn't able to use my compound anymore, so in order to stay archery hunting I switched to crossbow. You can bet I won't be buying your magazine anymore since you don't believe in crossbows as bowhunting

  • https://www.facebook.com/jen.reeder16 Jen Reeder

    I'm a 34 year old woman that got into deer hunting a few years back. Not a single person I know hunts with anything other than a gun or a crossbow. I would LOVE to learn how to use a compound but don't have the faintest idea as to where to begin. I certainly don't want to go out and be irresponsible because of lack of practice or proper training. I've been lucky enough to shoot one deer and have missed/messed up my fair share thanks to the mistakes all hunters can make(noise, movement etc). I guess my point is that even though you will never cover anything pertaining to crossbow hunting and most of your readers apparently look down at my weapon of choice (I don't hunt during gun season) I will stay a subscriber and appreciate everything that you guys present to us monthly. I look forward to learning more each time I go out in the woods as well as everytime I retrieve this mag from my mailbox. Thanks Bowhunter :)

  • Gary

    I was just looking through the July 2012 issue and on page 27 there is an advertisement for a game camera showing a hunter holding a crossbow. Is this the same mistake you mention above or is it a similar mistake on the same page two months in a row?

  • Jerry

    As an archer for 20 years, who was recently sidelined with a disabling shoulder issues, surgery, rehab, rehab, rehab and still only about 60% strength, then switched to a crossbow, to keep hunting, I am deeply disappointed I the attitude of the elitists, err I mean purists. It had not been a choice to switch, but after switching I realized that the crossbow community, while different than shooting the bow, it still is nearly as challenging as a bow. Now recently I have switched to using a left handed now (previously a right) and I could not be happier, but my respect for those who chose to crossbow and those who need to crossbow, is on par with my bowhunting brothers. I only wish those superior archers would check their egos at the door.

  • Matt

    Goodbye arrow gun cry babies! Don't let the door hit you in the @ss on your way back to Peterson's! Long live Bowhunter Magazine!

  • https://www.facebook.com/jen.reeder16 Jen Reeder

    Wow Matt you're sure a jack–Since my first post i have made the switch to a compound and I love it. Won't be goin back unless I'm old and grey or injured etc. I bought a PSE RALLY but you will probably still look down on me bc it's a "low end bow" lol. Glad the vertical shooters I have met recently don't act like you :(