I'm in the process of making a few tweaks to the site - some permanent, others may involve additional tweaking. 
My goal is to create a better "flow" for the site, and to put more emphasis on hunting - specifically bowhunting - in our primary forum, "Around the Campfire." I'm more of a fan of consolidating forums than creating new ones, but occasionally it makes sense to create sub forums for various topics of interest.
We did that a few years ago with "Bowhunting Reports", "Equipment and Tuning", "Traditional" and "3D/Tournaments", as well as "The Other Side of the Ranch", "Photography", "It's All About the Video", etc. I think they mostly served their purpose well, but I think separating out the first four has created a situation where our main forum, "Around the Campfire" is devoid of actual bowhunting related topics. Those that are familiar with the forum and "New Posts" are able to navigate and follow those topics, but new members and visitors often only check ATC and question if this is a hunting site.
It's been one of the most difficult things to balance - the desire to keep a focus on bowhunting, the common interest that brought us all together, and yet retain the community/campfire feel and be able to discuss life and topics that are important to us beyond bowhunting.
Here are some changes I've made for now, that I think could help better achieve those goals:
1. Closed the "Bowhunting Reports" and "Equipment and Tuning" forums. Posts related to those topics can now be posted in "Around the Campfire". For now, I'm retaining the "Traditional" and "Game Management" forums as separate sub-forums.
2. Created a "Politics and Current Events" forum. We've become more tolerant of political discussions over the years, although they are still the greatest source of conflict between members, and require the most moderator time. I think it's important to be able to discuss political issues of the day, but if you have an inability to do so respect to the site and other members, then this may not be the best place for you to hang out.
With the creation of this forum, it invites more opportunity to discuss politics, but it also makes those that lack the maturity to do so respectfully more susceptible to infractions and/or permanently removed from the site.
3. Re-emphasize the desire to have more positive and encouraging contributions (and contributors) and fewer negative, inflammatory posts (and posters). - I understand that this will have an adverse effect on many of our current members, and will likely lead to an initial decline in membership. I'm okay with that! As I've said before, this site (and our moderating style) isn't for everybody but there are plenty of places on the internet that are more welcoming of combative, negative and controversial posts.
4. I hate Memes! - Memes have become the new way to "circumvent the swear filter" and talk smack and insult others (including fellow members). Please make them stop!
As stated, there will be some additional tweaks coming as we continue to evaluate how we can better improve the greatest community on the world wide web!
Your (respectful) feedback is welcome
My goal is to create a better "flow" for the site, and to put more emphasis on hunting - specifically bowhunting - in our primary forum, "Around the Campfire." I'm more of a fan of consolidating forums than creating new ones, but occasionally it makes sense to create sub forums for various topics of interest.
We did that a few years ago with "Bowhunting Reports", "Equipment and Tuning", "Traditional" and "3D/Tournaments", as well as "The Other Side of the Ranch", "Photography", "It's All About the Video", etc. I think they mostly served their purpose well, but I think separating out the first four has created a situation where our main forum, "Around the Campfire" is devoid of actual bowhunting related topics. Those that are familiar with the forum and "New Posts" are able to navigate and follow those topics, but new members and visitors often only check ATC and question if this is a hunting site.
It's been one of the most difficult things to balance - the desire to keep a focus on bowhunting, the common interest that brought us all together, and yet retain the community/campfire feel and be able to discuss life and topics that are important to us beyond bowhunting.
Here are some changes I've made for now, that I think could help better achieve those goals:
1. Closed the "Bowhunting Reports" and "Equipment and Tuning" forums. Posts related to those topics can now be posted in "Around the Campfire". For now, I'm retaining the "Traditional" and "Game Management" forums as separate sub-forums.
2. Created a "Politics and Current Events" forum. We've become more tolerant of political discussions over the years, although they are still the greatest source of conflict between members, and require the most moderator time. I think it's important to be able to discuss political issues of the day, but if you have an inability to do so respect to the site and other members, then this may not be the best place for you to hang out.
With the creation of this forum, it invites more opportunity to discuss politics, but it also makes those that lack the maturity to do so respectfully more susceptible to infractions and/or permanently removed from the site.
3. Re-emphasize the desire to have more positive and encouraging contributions (and contributors) and fewer negative, inflammatory posts (and posters). - I understand that this will have an adverse effect on many of our current members, and will likely lead to an initial decline in membership. I'm okay with that!
As I've said before, this site (and our moderating style) isn't for everybody but there are plenty of places on the internet that are more welcoming of combative, negative and controversial posts. 4. I hate Memes! - Memes have become the new way to "circumvent the swear filter" and talk smack and insult others (including fellow members). Please make them stop!
As stated, there will be some additional tweaks coming as we continue to evaluate how we can better improve the greatest community on the world wide web!
Your (respectful) feedback is welcome
haha...I doubt I'll spend much time in there 
folks around here who create some epic ones) but it seems that some folks can't help but push the envelope every time they post one. 
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