Don’t know what Y’all think, but to me, the USA Sportsmen’s Journal just keeps gettin’ better!! From the cover to the last page, the format, pictures and articles create a magazine worth keeping. Well beyond just “throne” material. All I think it needs are maybe a few more articles or stories and more frequent distribution (I read thru it too fast). You could even add a page of items offered in the USA online (someday) store, complete with order form.
Sooo…. what do YOU think about this fine mag?
#1 - thanks for your kind words about our journal. We have a communications team lead by Kate Cywinski and Laura Morris and they do an awesome job of pulling this magazine together every quarter and believe me…it’s a lot of work.
#2 - I agree with you…would love to hear what some of the other folks think about the journal and be honest. Tell us what you like, what you dislike and what you want to see more of. Your input will only help us make this much better and our folks really do listen.
Are you as surprised as me that no one else has anything to say about the USA Journal. Was expecting a little bit of feedback to let us know what others were thinking about the magazine.
As I mentioned in my first post, we are very proud of our publication and it takes a lot of effort from a lot of different folks to get this out the door each quarter. I did fail to mention one of the other key players in the communications department that helps pull everything together and that is Keri Braswell. She works in conjunction with all of the departments here at the USA and that isn’t always an easy thing to manage (or deal with!). She’s saved my bacon on many an occasion so my apologies for not including her in the original post.
So folks….let’s hear what you have to say about the USA Journal and don’t pull any punches because we want to know.
As a member, I am pleased to see that the magazine is gettin better every issue…..Thanks USA for being involved in conservation and in sponsoring union events….I shoot in the Nashville area shoot and enjoy the comradery and competition…..Here’s to USA getting stronger and larger…and keep up the great work on the reading materials
Now that is an analogy that I can relate to and it was good to hear from you too Scott. And finally, Big Bird is back on the forum!!!! I thought you had gone carp crazy and decided to ditch on us.
I cant boast that I have been a member of this organization since its inception, but I was around when the journal used to come to us on newsprint. Of course, a huge improvement in overall “looks” was putting it into a magazine format. One thing that stands out to me that hasnt changed is the showcasing of selected members. This is very important to me because it keeps everything real. Yes, other magazines are an enjoyment to read, but its just like the comparison of Brotherhood Outdoors to the other “Trophy” style outdoor shows. We are real, and its nice to hear about the average persons experiences in the outdoors. After I am done reading, I always bring it into work with me and pass it around.
I actually gave one edition as a Christmas gift to my sister! She shot a nice buck while hunting with me and we were lucky enough to have a good friend take a picture of sis, dad, and I. (A picture I will treasure) Well, that picture was selected to be in the journal promoting the Take Your Best Shot contest. We didnt win a buck knife for entering the picture but it sure did put a smile on her face at X-mas when she got the magazine and saw her picture in there!
A big thanks to all the staff who are involved in the making of our journal. I encourage everyone to pass them around at work.
Thanks for the great post and you hit on one of the most important parts of the Journal for our staff. If there is anything our editorial team insist on it is the continued inclusion of stories and articles by and about union members who enjoy the outdoors. If you have noticed, we have had some pretty impressive articles over the years and I know our team will keep working hard to bring you more of these great stories from union sportsmen.
Best,
Mike
USA
PS - if any of you folks out there have a good story you want to share with us please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
I just want to say that I look forward to receiving the magazine, and really enjoy reading about other folks adventures in the outdoors. Some crazy things happen out there, and reading about these incidents keeps us mentally prepared for our own trip. To this end, my suggestion would be to solicit these stories more actively, and offer editing services for those of us who don’t write that well. (“DON’T WORRY IF YOUR NOT THE BEST WRITER. SUBMIT IT AND WE WILL FIX IT UP!) So I guess it’s no surprise that “Camo Calamities” is my favorite. Strange that it doesn’t make the cover or the Table of Contents. When I’m done with the magazine, I give it to Union members around me who are not members of USA, and ask them to leave it in the break area / lunchroom at work. It’s a good recruiting tool.
I totally agree.. i think the magazine is wonderful. I actually have a topic that may cause a bit of controversy.. however i believe it to be a conservationist duty to bring it to a national level. I live in Minnesota and have quite a few Native American tribes of which are granted the right to net some of the best fisheries in the state (out of the licensed fisherman’s seasons). this year a state record Musky was netted in a lake and killed and thrown back to rot because it wasn’t a walleye. They have the right to string nets hundreds of yards in shallow waters and kill anything that may swim into them (whether it’s full of spawn or not). Okay, now i don’t have a problem giving them rights to net, but there aren’t any regulations as to what they keep. On top of that, we here in minnesota have a strict law pertaining to invasive species (Eurasion Millfoil and Zebra Mussels). The department of natural resources has done nothing to prevent the spread of these pests to the native’s standpoint. However the everyday licensed fisherman and recreational boater’s are being punished for transporting weeds or water (in livewells or baitwells) and being fined thousands of dollars. I personally don’t find it fair that the people actually netting and not abiding by the state laws for personal gain is fair.. I don’t really know if this topic is worth treading on or not, but i know thousands of other fisherman in the state are outraged by the neglect the DNR has shown to this. We as fisherman have slot limits on most these lakes and cannot keep “just anything” (not that we do, as we respect our fisheries) but yet it’s allowed for the tribes to take as they want and whether it be a spawning fish or thousands of male walleyes.. I guess i am just venting and probably am doing this on the wrong outdoors website.. But as i said in the begining, i am a big fan of the mag and check this site 2-4 times weekly.. it would be nice to have some national attention brought to this… Good Fishing Fellas an remember….THE STRENGTH OF THE PACK IS THE WOLF… THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS THE PACK…. Proud member IUE-CWA Local 110
