A Team Effort

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THE LAST THING Editor Dwight Schuh said to me was, "If you've got something burning in your belly that you want to talk about, write the editorial."

In a matter of hours, Dwight would be on a flight to the Northwest Territories where he'd be hunting mountain caribou for Bowhunter Magazine TV. And I think he still had to finish packing.

Whenever one of the Bowhunter team is on the road, the rest of us know that we must take up the slack. That's especially so now.

In the last year and a half, TV has greatly changed our lives. Now we not only have to publish a successful magazine; we have to produce a hit TV show, too. This has brought many new challenges to our small staff.

It's mid-August now, but by the time you read this, our magazine team will be well on the way to finishing up our '05 magazines and publishing over 1,000 pages. Additionally, we will have completed the 13 original episodes for the first season of TV and will be working on video for our second season on The Outdoor Channel.

Most readers probably look at the column-long masthead on page two and think that all of those folks are involved. True. But the staffers who actually put the magazine and the TV show together can be counted on two hands.

As we wrap up this landmark year and look toward the magazine's 35th anniversary next year, I feel compelled to salute the Bowhunter crew's work and give you a run-down of who these hard-working people are and a sense of their valuable contributions:

Founder/Editor Emeritus M.R. James' historic role has been well documented. No longer involved in the daily business of the magazine -- and looking forward to "retirement" -- M.R. remains the inspiration for what we do here. Just look at what he started.

Editor Dwight Schuh loves bowhunting so much that in recent years he's overcome ailing shoulders by shooting left-handed, right-handed, and even drawing with a mouth tab. He's the visionary for both magazine and TV content. If he's not combing over manuscripts, writing, editing, or proofing text for print, he's busy consulting with our TV staff, reviewing video online, or writing narration. As someone who is ready and willing to meet every challenge, this admitted "grumpy old man" sets the tone for all of us.

Assistant Editor Brian Fortenbaugh celebrated four years with the magazine this year. Toting degrees from Gettysburg and Marshall, including a Master's in Journalism, this talented young editor is a hard-core bowhunter with a sharp eye for both game and grammar. But come bow season he has to be restrained to get any work out of him.

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Long-time Art Director Mark Olszewski grew up hunting the deer woods of northwestern Pennsylvania, but more often than not he's caught behind his computer designing the article layouts that bring other hunters' great adventures to life. Still, this gifted artist puts his heart and soul into every page. By the time you read this, I hope that Mark has taken a trophy Wyoming antelope for our TV show. Watch for him on "the small screen."

Sales Manager Jeff Millar has been with the magazine for 16 years. Charged with overseeing the vast majority of advertisements that grace the pages of this book, Jeff carefully walks the tightrope between his bowhunting passion and his work responsibilities. If there's a way to squeeze hunting time into a packed schedule, Jeff will find it. More than once he's brought the results of his morning hunt to work, where we've gathered to stare into the back of his truck. Bowhunting is in his blood.

TV Producer Larry D. Jones is no stranger to readers of this magazine. For years he wrote the popular "Jones Hunting Tip," and he also produced a number of our Video Journals. Since coming on board last May, Larry has worked literally night and day to get Bowhunter Magazine TV on the air. A skilled storyteller, cameraman, and video editor, Larry is feverish with enthusiasm for bowhunting. His is the voice of experience to our cadre of freelance cameramen and energetic, young TV team.

If you've been impressed with the look of our TV show, then you'll want to meet our "new" video Shooter/Editor Josh Viste. This creative cameraman grew up in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Josh and another Upper Midwest product, Floating Shooter Sean Hagen (whose services we share with some of Primedia Outdoors other TV shows), have truly weathered the TV storm with us this year. Based out of our TV office at In-Fisherman in Brainerd, Minnesota, these guys can't wait to start shooting for '06.

Of course, many other folks contributed to the success of Bowhunter Magazine TV this year. There's VP Group Publisher Mike Carney, who has been in front of the camera as co-host, as well as behind the scenes throughout. In-Fisherman Publisher Steve Hoffman, who is now stuck on stickbows. Hunting TV Director Darin Narlock, who oversees our TV team in Minnesota and played a pivotal role in the studio. Then there's In-Fisherman Jedi editors Brian Webber and Jeremy Doyle. Plus a long list of administrative angels like Accountant Mindy Elliot and TV Coordinator Michelle Swenson, just to name a couple.

We've got them on the magazine side, too. Editorial Secretary Anna Allen, Production Manager Meredith Sterner, and Planner Amy Meadows, work tirelessly to keep the Bowhunter boys out of trouble. (Trust me, that's a full-time job!)

THE LAST PERSON I want to thank is you. Thanks for sharing our passion for bowhunting and entrusting us with your magazine -- and now with your TV show. We're only going to get better. See you in 2006!