North Carolina Sportsman Downsizes Letting Holt & Dilsaver Go
January 20, 2009
Craig Holt and Moose after a successful Caswell County Turkey Hunt
The poor economy is taking it’s toll on a lot of industries and the magazine industry is no exception. North Carolina Sportsman is the only statewide hunting and fishing magazine that sportsman can turn to for information about whats happening in North Carolina when it comes to the outdoor world. As a subscriber I’ve noticed the changes over the past few months mostly the reduction in boat ads. With the first issue of the new year the magazine was noticeably thinner and the binding had switched back to the less effective staples.
North Carolina Sportsman magazine has laid off four people, including its managing editor, Craig Holt, and leading saltwater writer, Jerry Dilsaver, who was also the promotions director for the publication.
“It’s the turn in the economy,” said Ty Conti, publisher of the magazine. “The magazine is selling less advertising, just like any other publication. We’re just reducing our force right now.”
But Conti insisted that the magazine’s coverage would not change. “Our magazine is written mostly by independent writers anyway,” he said.
N&O Blog
One only needs to look at the January issue and you’ll realize that between Jerry & Craig they write the majority of the magazine. I think by my quick count this evening they accounted for fourteen or more articles in the January issue.
Jerry is well known in the saltwater fishing circles and has a big following. Craig has covered stories from the mountains to the coast and is a well recognized figure in Sportsman circles across the state. I can’t help but think letting these two go is a kin to loading the Titantic’s Lifeboats. I hope the magazine survives but it doesn’t look good. In Craig’s column this month he closes with this line;
We just did our own “makeover” but we’re also still the same crew underneath.
I’m afraid your not.
Sportsman in the state have few alternatives; N&O has a great Outdoor Section on Thursday’s. North Carolina Game and Fish is really a national magazine with a few local articles to give the impression it is a local magazine. Then there is blogs like this and message forums. Where we’ll get our information on the sports we love is in flux. I hope for many more years to be reading the NC Sportsman but I realize that may not be in the cards.
Moose Droppings is a place that chronicles my journey, Ill explore new places and ideas Ill learn new things and Ill teach the things Ive learned to others. Join me on the adventure and hopefully it will help you in your outdoor endeavors.
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