[alyeska338]

I just received a promo (I'm assuming it's promotional as I did not pay for it nor did I subscribe) issue of Successful Hunter. All the advertisement for it in Rifle and Handloader kinda left me a bit cold, I imagined it to be another Petersen's Hunting or some trophy rag spouting off rack dimensions and plugging the latest hot new loading or scope. However, I must say I'm impressed. I haven't read too many hunting magazines in the past 10 years or so because they all seemed to be the same. But this crew (Seyfried, Shoemaker, Spomer) have done some really good writing. I like Seyfried's articles in Rifle and Handloader, but he takes his writing and topics to a whole new level that raises the bar, as far as I'm concerned in Successful Hunter. There is the tale of his bear hunt in Alaska, his thoughts on the evolution of high tech hunting arms and real hunter ethics, his tribute to Jim Corbett and other random thoughts. The bear story is as entertaining as Russell Annabel's writing (a long time favorite writer of mine), his tribute to Corbett is heartfelt and his ethics piece is right on target. Shoemaker cuts the bull on custom rifles, though I would prefer he named names to allow us readers the opportunity to not to make the mistake his friend did. Spomer's article on goats is a great campfire tale even if he does use the absolute ugliest rifle ever made, the Kifaru.

Barsness delivers pretty much what we expect from John, it's like another issue of Handloader or Rifle. Brian Pearce (I do like the guy, but can only be interested in the same article so many times), also delivers standard fare. I think that Ross must be the team leader, at least in this issue, it seems like his magazine.

Sorry to be so long winded, but I'm impressed. I tire easily from reading the same old thing all the time and this is a very refreshing look at hunting, ethics and why we hunt. I think they have a new subscriber.

For what it's worth, I give it two thumbs up.

 

[Elliot]

Will have to keep an eye out for this..Always looking for something new, and not repetitive.. Elliot

 

[Joel B]

Can you post some info on how to subscribe. I haven't seen anything, maybe I just missed it. Talking about reading the same old thing, Hunting has the Favorite deer calibers story again .I've read that story twice a year since I was 14 years old!

 

[drm]

I am going to assume if you get Rifle and/or Handloader you will grt a copy of it, (thats how I received mine). The majority of gun writers now have very little "wild" experince with anything in life, yet alone hunting and shooting. That being said Ross Seyfried is a pleasure to read. With Blackpowder cartariges he is an athority, and who wouldn't love to be an international competitive shooter, and hunting guide,(he is the leader not the follower). In time he may be our equivilant to my favorite writer, Col. Townsend Whelen. He wrote from the "Been there done that", not the "Thanks for setting this up for me so now I can write about it," syndrome. Sorry for comming across so oppinionated but some people should, receive an ataboy!

 

[alyeska338]

It kills me to read about hunters scoping an animal and calculating it's "score" before the shot takes place then the rest of the article is antler meausrements and how great of a hunter this guy is because he shot a buck that scored 183 1/4, 1/8 more than had previously been taken out of this particular bean field.

Seyfried's writing in this magazine really reminds me of Russell Annabel's, though he's a bit more polished. It sent chills all over me and made me laugh quite a bit when he realized he was on that cornice and nothing but a few snowflakes and thin air underneath him. I've been there before and you can break out in a cold sweat when that realization happens. The sheep article was very good too. Robb did an excellent job, he explained the environment surrounding sheep hunting up here very well, especially the dangers associated with it.

I liked Shoemaker's article too, I've always enjoyed his writing, he's such a matter of fact writer. Sure wished he'd have named names. Probably not prudent as I suspect the 'smith was an advertiser in their magazine. If you mention the good, tell us the bad.

I much rather learn from an entertaining story or field experience than from tests or from some writer writing a checklist.

 

[Joel B]

The companies that sell products to Hunters and Shooters know that these forums are out here. So I've got to believe that the Gun Mags are aware of it. You would think that they would glean info off of these Forums that are on the "Net" and then come out with magazines dedicated to the "Purists". I can't think of any magazines that are dedicated to Hunting. I'm with Alyeska, I'm not interested in reading about some guy's 180+ BC Mule Deer that he shot after his guide who had been watching it for a month showed it to him so he could shoot it at 600 yards. Thats not hunting to me. Don't get me wrong, I like Big Bucks and Big Bulls, but hunting is more to me than that. The "Bugle" magazine has become a joke to me. That magazine borders right on the Tree Hugger mentality. I'll never be able to afford to go to Arizona, pay 15000 or more so that I can watch 10 or 15 350 plus Bulls, and then shoot the best of the bunch. If I could, I'd go. I'm not crazy , I just can't afford it. I'm probably stepping on someones toes, sorry, I never was a very good dancer, just get a little erked sometimes with what I read from the Pro's

 

[Bigfoot]

Got the same magazine. The article about the Black bear on the cliff was great! What a story, and he used a neat single shot with paper patch bullets and black powder.

 

[kciH]

I also got a copy of this and I hope is stays as interesting as this first issue I read was. This is the only hunting magazine I've picked up as of late that promotes cover to cover reading. I like the fact that a archery section is included, as I do it all when time allows. Would you expect anything less from the Handloader/Rifle magazine people? Subscription info

 

[Charlie Z]

Yah... it could be a "classic" in the making.

Seyfried's blackie wasn't all that large and stalked using the old Henry express single. A hunt to remember and measure a man by.

RS's advice has always been wonderfully practical. He may not have invented it, but he was the first I heard to say that hitting a paper plate with all shots from all positions is your game "range." Field experience vs. range experience....

Barsness' patterning article, though a boring topic, turns out to have excellent practical insight, too.

- Charlie