Safari Magazine, the official publication of SCI, has undergone some fairly significant changes recently. I wonder what AR members who belong to SCI (probably the majority of us) think about these changes?

First, and mostly noticeably, the magazine's length has been reduced considerably. Is this due to costs involving production and distribution? Or are there fewer member-generated articles being received?

Safari Magazine also now carries some material more diverse than we've seen in the past. For example, the May/June 2013 issue has articles on "cocktails to complement the post-safari supper," another discussing the proper type of glass for different wines and spirits, and a third addressing color in fine jewelry.

There is also an article on big game fishing, an extensive advertising section titled "Destinations and Resorts" which I assume is paid for by the advertisers, and the usual issue of reports on new equipment, rifles, knives, and so forth.

It also appears Safari Magazine is expanding its global coverage of hunting destinations--there are articles on hunting in Argentina, Nicaragua, and British Columbia.

Director of Publications Steve Comus, in his "The Last Word" column ( on the last page of the magazine) explains the changes are coming from member input, and says such comments allow SCI to "continue to fine-tune and tweak the look, feel and content . . . in a more and more focused way . . . ."

I personally have mixed feelings about the new "look, feel and content" of Safari Magazine--there are some things I like, others that don't interest me at all, or if they do, I'd look elsewhere for information about them.

Anyway, what do AR readers think of the new look and content? If you have suggestions for improvement or change, it appears Steve Comus is listening.

Only two articles worth reading in the most recent issue are Dwight VanBrunt's and VanZwoll's. Everything else is advertising. The drinks and jewelry colors don't interest me at all. The magazine has been one of my favorites but recently not so much. Sports Afield is currently my go to favorite.

Safari has never had a problem obtaining a variety of articles from all over the globe, at least that was true during 1983-1999 when I was SCI's publications director.

No successful magazine would reduce page count because of rising production and distribution costs. It would be like McDonald's reducing the number of burgers it sells because prices for meat and buns have increased.

Publications survive by selling advertising space. If a publication has fewer pages, it is because it has sold fewer pages. Safari Magazine, and most other successful magazines, seek a space ratio of 50% advertising, 50% other (non-paid) material. Most newspapers work on a 75% advertising and 25% other.

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by edholum:
Only two articles worth reading in the most recent issue are Dwight VanBrunt's and VanZwoll's. Everything else is advertising. The drinks and jewelry colors don't interest me at all. The magazine has been one of my favorites but recently not so much. Sports Afield is currently my go to favorite.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by Nitro Express:
Safari Magazine, the official publication of SCI, has undergone some fairly significant changes recently. I wonder what AR members who belong to SCI (probably the majority of us) think about these changes?

First, and mostly noticeably, the magazine's length has been reduced considerably. Is this due to costs involving production and distribution? Or are there fewer member-generated articles being received?

Safari Magazine also now carries some material more diverse than we've seen in the past. For example, the May/June 2013 issue has articles on "cocktails to complement the post-safari supper," another discussing the proper type of glass for different wines and spirits, and a third addressing color in fine jewelry.

There is also an article on big game fishing, an extensive advertising section titled "Destinations and Resorts" which I assume is paid for by the advertisers, and the usual issue of reports on new equipment, rifles, knives, and so forth.

It also appears Safari Magazine is expanding its global coverage of hunting destinations--there are articles on hunting in Argentina, Nicaragua, and British Columbia.

Director of Publications Steve Comus, in his "The Last Word" column ( on the last page of the magazine) explains the changes are coming from member input, and says such comments allow SCI to "continue to fine-tune and tweak the look, feel and content . . . in a more and more focused way . . . ."

I personally have mixed feelings about the new "look, feel and content" of Safari Magazine--there are some things I like, others that don't interest me at all, or if they do, I'd look elsewhere for information about them.

Anyway, what do AR readers think of the new look and content? If you have suggestions for improvement or change, it appears Steve Comus is listening.

I was not impressed. Safari magazine 3-4 years ago SUCKED, SUCKED, and SUCKED!!! They did a good job turning that around with more hunting articles per magazine and more hunt destinations, variety, continents per issue. I've seen a clear step backward lately. I can pick up a number of other magazines if I want to read about cigars, travel destinations, wines, or scotch. I want to see and read about hunting and conservation when I pick up Safari magazine. That's what the club is about. That's what we do. Hopefully these words aren't lost on whoever took a "different direction"......because they need to do a 180....

Brett

If I had interest in glass blowing, favorite drinks of the smooth set, and jewelry, I'd look to other resources. I accept the usual ad content, but this issue is way short of hunting material....so,it's a big downstroke for me as a SCI member.

It was crap. I thought it was supposed to be geared to hunters, it seems to be directed to some people with too much cash instead. Very disappointed. SCI is loosing touch just check the other threads and you will see that many others agree.

I will not renew my membership if this is anything remotely like what I can expect.

I did not like Van Zwoll's article at all; give me the old standard of member supplied articles any day. The columns are best supplied by professional writers like Sundra, who really can pick apart rifle details. However, most professional writers rarely hunt dangerous game, Boddington being the exception. As I have said before, when a member has a story published, you are reading a hunt he paid for and not some gratis or discounted hunt comped in the name of marketing.

Noticeably absent is the moniker "The Journal of Big Game Hunting." I will soon be absent as well.

I have been a member only a dozen or so years. My first interest in SCI (even though their Hdqtrs and museum created much interest here when being built I had never visited till a member) was created by reading their magazine (borrowed from a friend) to select a place and outfitter to make my first safari to Africa. Since then I have been an avid reader and actually had a report in their old report section. Moving that to the newspaper reduced my reading of the magazine and the latest renditions just relegate it to a brief thumb thru with rarely anything read.I would really suffer no loss if they discontinued it entirely. Sad to say.

Pretty disappointed in the last couple of issues.

I am glad this has been brought up. I don't care for the "wine and cheese" stuff at all. SAFARI has always been a nice magazine with great color photos, interesting advertisements and good stories written by fellow hunters (for the most part). This departure into foo-foo and "finer things" is not exactly what I look for when paging through SAFARI. Some of it is neat and interesting...but not in a safari magazine. I look to the magazine for primarily hunting content, not lifestyle content. There are a lot of magazines out there for that, please stick with hunting in "ours".

I've enjoyed the magazine, more or less, over the years. It's entertainment, not journalism.

Generally good to great photography.

Loved the shot of the Cubera snapper's mouth in the latest copy

I'd be lying if I didn't say I rarely read Safari any longer. I'm usually busy reading other magazines like Eastman's, Sports Afield, Petersen's Hunting, African Hunting Gazette, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by edholum:
Only two articles worth reading in the most recent issue are Dwight VanBrunt's and VanZwoll's. Everything else is advertising. The drinks and jewelry colors don't interest me at all. The magazine has been one of my favorites but recently not so much. Sports Afield is currently my go to favorite.

Agreed

It was pure crap!

I have been a member of SCI off and on since the 70's or early 80's. The only reason I have been a member is to read the magazine. The only reason I read the magazine is for the hunting stories. Primairly Africa.

In the May/June issue, I read the articles by Boddington, Sundra, van Zwoll and Mayer. ( I didn't mind the Panama fishing article as a one time thing.) That is four articles for a cover price of $12.95? Pretty expensive reading. I don't care about the jewelry, glass blowing or cocktail articles. Sports Afield and AHG arrived the same week. They have more and better articles. I also get most of my hunting stories now from AR, AH, etc. for free.

If Safari Magazine doesn't change, I am going to have a hard time renewing at a rate of $3.24 for every story I read. Especially when Saeed provides better stories by you guys to me for $0.00.

By the way, it's getting to the time of year when we should start seeing some more hunting reports isn't it. I can't wait to hear of your experiences.

I agree 100% with the above - expect, I did like the article on food (although wine maybe a bit far...). As a hunter - I really enjoy eating the game I hunt, and a little more on the food side would be OK for me, if written well and by people not trying to plug restaurants / specific wines.

But overall, am very disappointed.

I was told at SCI not to worry about submitting an article as they only select 1 or so out of 100. I laughed to myself and did not submit. Sent to DSC and it is being published soon. Had articles in several magazines and SCI pretty much said don't waste your time.

I was not impressed with the non-hunting stuff in the current magazine. Quite disappointing actually.

quote:

Originally posted by Badger Matt:
Pretty disappointed in the last couple of issues.

Agreed. Do not like changes. At all.

Glad to see this thread being brought up. I couldn't believe the last two issues. I counted 56 pages of advertising in this last one. I know Bill Quimby is right about the ad/article ratio, but this is way over the top in my opinion. Also, don't really care for the off topic articles either. The cover is really generic if you ask me, not nearly as distinctive as the old one.

I can't believe these changes are "member interest" based. As a Life Member, always looked forward to Safari magazine, but not so much anymore. I would like to see SCI take a poll on this issue or show one that backs up the Editors claims.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I also always liked the member's hunt articles.

I don't mind some of the professional writing, although if I really wanted that, there are a lot of magazines that I could buy that are pretty much exclusively professional content.

I would not mind the occasional article about food, drink, fishing, photography, or art. Like maybe one per issue; and as far as I'm concerned those articles should be like the rest of the content- member generated, mostly.

Quite frankly, from my limited exposure to writing in a professional capacity, the editors pretty much can make anybody's poor writing look good if they are good themselves, and are willing/able to spend the time on it. Comus has some writing skills, so I don't think he NEEDS to hire pro writers.

Somehow, despite being an SCI "apologist," I doubt that the magazine's lack of nonhunting content was anywhere near the top 10 issues that the members bring up to the powers that be at SCI.

I also give the new format a thumbs down.

Agree with most, the new magazine look and content is lacking and unappealing. As to LittleJoe's comments, I too had the very same experience.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
I also always liked the member's hunt articles.

I don't mind some of the professional writing, although if I really wanted that, there are a lot of magazines that I could buy that are pretty much exclusively professional content.

I would not mind the occasional article about food, drink, fishing, photography, or art. Like maybe one per issue; and as far as I'm concerned those articles should be like the rest of the content- member generated, mostly.

Quite frankly, from my limited exposure to writing in a professional capacity, the editors pretty much can make anybody's poor writing look good if they are good themselves, and are willing/able to spend the time on it. Comus has some writing skills, so I don't think he NEEDS to hire pro writers.

Somehow, despite being an SCI "apologist," I doubt that the magazine's lack of nonhunting content was anywhere near the top 10 issues that the members bring up to the powers that be at SCI.

I also give the new format a thumbs down.

Well said.

My mail box is right next to my trash can outside and the magazine didn't make it inside the building for the first time and it won't be the last.I up grade to life member 10 years ago wish I had the money back now.

I've been an annual member of SCI for most years since the '70s. I've always looked forward to the member articles on Big Game hunting around the world.

This latest May/June issue of Safari Magazine is probably the WORST issue that I have ever received.

This issue featured only four articles on single species big game hunting, and a few short articles related to big game hunting.

I like shooting birds, but I could care less about reading about shooting them.

If I wanted to read articles about making cocktails, blowing wine glasses, or jewelry I'd buy Ladies Home Journal. In my opinion, those articles DO NOT belong in a Big Game Hunting magazine.

Big game fishing may go "hand in glove with big game hunting", but it is still fishing. It is not hunting. I'd expect to find fishing articles in Field & Stream or Outdoor Life, not Safari.

The rest of this issue is just advertisements: necessary to pay for the magazine, but not a reason to buy the magazine.

If Safari Magazine is no longer a journal of big game hunting, is Safari Club International no longer an organization of big game hunters?

The name should be changed to "Safari Connoisseur" or "Safari Aficionado".

I took the time and emailed SCI about it. Can't hurt and will hopefully help.

I wasn't too impressed with this issue. I thought it was supposed to be about hunting.

You all should see my study & Library......Really! Because I have such a passion for reading, Africa, hunting, and the overall nature of a well rounded Library, over the years mine has become quite extensive. Probably too extensive!

Not only am I privileged to have Hardbound books, I have numerous bound and unbound magazines by the shelf full.
African Outfitter, Hatari, African Hunter, African Hunting Gazette, Dangerous Game Mag, African Fisherman, Game Trails, etc.

What you WTLL NOT find is the SCI Magazine offering. Why......cause I did the unthinkable for anyone really into Libraries.....I didn't sell them.......I threw them out!!!! Yep, pitched em'. Really all I can say is that they were, and ARE and Embarrassment for me. I didn't even want them around for my Grandchildren to color in and on.

Outside off FELLOWSHIP at a SCI convention the organization has become dead to me. My grandchildren, which I am teaching every bit and scrap of Africana & hunting I know, will not know that such a self serving organization exists. What a crying shame.

quote:

Originally posted by buffybr: If I wanted to read articles about making cocktails, blowing wine glasses, or jewelry I'd buy Ladies Home Journal. In my opinion, those articles DO NOT belong in a Big Game Hunting magazine.

Big game fishing may go "hand in glove with big game hunting", but it is still fishing. It is not hunting. I'd expect to find fishing articles in Field & Stream or Outdoor Life, not Safari.

If Safari Magazine is no longer a journal of big game hunting, is Safari Club International no longer an organization of big game hunters?

I'm certainly not as experienced as many members here and correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the word "Safari" mean journey? While I agree with buffybr's assessment about cocktails and glassware, hunting in exotic destinations isn't all about "big game" nor are most SCI members (I suspect) only interested in hunting in Africa.

I've hunted only once on that continent (Tanzania last year) and I'm already planning on returning, but taking a buffalo was only part of what made my experience so pleasurable. In addition to hunting some plains games species, one of the best decisions I made was to bring along a 28 gauge shotgun and take advantage of some of the bird shooting. Chasing guinea fowl, francolin, and sprufowl was thoroughly enjoyable and I probably wouldn't have even thought about it, had I not read about such things from other AR members' postings here! (Thanks again, all of you!!! )

There are members here and certainly within SCI's ranks that really enjoy hunting some of the smaller species of antelopes, the overall size of which makes the use of term "big game" somewhat of an oxymoron. Are these hunters not on "safari", because the challenges they face don't involve animals which can kill them? In fact, hunting some species of animals is far more dangerous because of nature of the environment than that posed by teeth, claws, tusks or horns. I've hunted bear in Alaska several times and the guides I've been with all seemed to agree that steep shale mountainsides encountered while hunting Dall sheep and Mountain goats probably entail a greater threat to hunters and guides than brownies and grizzlies. IMHO all these types of hunting adventures can and should be part of SCI's magazine.

Shooting doves and pigeons in Argentina, learning about driven game hunts in Europe, the various offerings in Australia and New Zealand, and yes even fishing in exotic locales are reasons why most of us join organizations like DSC or SCI. Why narrow the scope of their publications to only big game (or more specifically dangerous game) in Africa? I want to learn about the variety of pursuits that I can experience while journeying to foreign lands and while I certainly don't believe descriptions of exotic drinks need to be included in publications such as "Safari Magazine", hunting and fishing opportunities of all types should be presented. This is especially true if the challenges are specific to some of the lesser known areas of the world. Many of us understand that knowing how much we don't know, provides us with golden opportunities for exciting new adventures!

Agree with most that this publication continues to go downhill fast. When you try to be a "Everything for everybody" publication you usually loose traction with just about everyone. The phrase OUT OF TOUCH just about sums it up in my opinion. Who knew that one day we would be looking back on the crop of " My Gold Medal Blesbuck" or KUDU- The Grey Ghost ( oh brother..) as the good old days of SCI reading material!?

Like the changes or not, out of 30 or so comments on this issue, only one person stated he sent ann e-mail to SCI.

WRITE THEM AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK!!!!!!

To elborate a little further from my original comments. I don't feel Safari Magazine should be an Africa only mag. SCI Members include the entire spectrum of outdoor folks, so different adventures should be included. I liked the Docs, advising on outdoor meds and situations, a big game fishing article is OK once in awhile as well as bird shooting in far away places. To be Africa only would not be good either.

It's the wine, cooking, glassblowing, jewlery kinda thing that really doesn't have a place. Just like all the jerky booths and the other far related ones at both SCI and DSC are pushing the envelope a little to far.

Member articles always ranked high and it was good to hear "real", "everyday" hunters/outdoorsman share their adventures in "their" words. It seems someone is always trying to "change" things, while I agree some change is always neccessary, it's not always for the good. It seems this is the case with Safari magazine at the moment.

I have contacted SCI and let them know my thoughts and concerns. As someone else said, let SCI know your thoughts, because without them things will most likely remain the same.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
To elborate a little further from my original comments. I don't feel Safari Magazine should be an Africa only mag. SCI Members include the entire spectrum of outdoor folks, so different adventures should be included. I liked the Docs, advising on outdoor meds and situations, a big game fishing article is OK once in awhile as well as bird shooting in far away places. To be Africa only would not be good either.

It's the wine, cooking, glassblowing, jewlery kinda thing that really doesn't have a place. Just like all the jerky booths and the other far related ones at both SCI and DSC are pushing the envelope a little to far.

Member articles always ranked high and it was good to hear "real", "everyday" hunters/outdoorsman share their adventures in "their" words. It seems someone is always trying to "change" things, while I agree some change is always neccessary, it's not always for the good. It seems this is the case with Safari magazine at the moment.

I have contacted SCI and let them know my thoughts and concerns. As someone else said, let SCI know your thoughts, because without them things will most likely remain the same.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I agree Larry...I would MUCH rather read about a member's hunt than I would the same old outdoor writers hash on and on. That story by Van Zwoll was insipid - it wasn't even about a hunt - it seemed like a "filler" story for him.

And the blowing glass??? For Pete's sake, why on earth did Comus think that would be a great story??

It used to be the mag was thick with all kinds of stories of hunts by real guys. That was the strength of the magazine.

quote:

Originally posted by impala#03:
Like the changes or not, out of 30 or so comments on this issue, only one person stated he sent ann e-mail to SCI.

WRITE THEM AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU THINK!!!!!!

The day isn't over yet and they will get an email from me before it is.

I think this is a prime example of where an organization has lost sight of their identity. The folks with money who may have more eclectic tastes than the common denominator, exert influence (financially or otherwise) and change the direction of what had been a reasonable representative of the membership.

I applauded Sports Afield when they returned to their vision several years ago and quit trying to be all things to all people. I have always appreciated the Peterson Publishing Company's focus - Hunting Magazine is about ...hunting. It appears that Safari has lost its way.

I'm taking Impala's well-heeded advice & will share my displeasure re: Safari article choices w/the editor.

Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!! They won't know if you don't tell them. Just gripeing on and on with each other can't helo much.

I agree with the comments that Sports Afield is a much better magazine. African Hunting Gazette is also very good.

In my opinion, Safari magazine is by far the worst hunting magazine that I receive! As others have said it is primarily advertisements with only Boddington's columns of any interest to me. It is always the first magazine I throw away and it has been very close to a total waste of color-glossy paper. I have the new one but haven't even opened it yet so maybe the improvements will change my opinion some!!