May 09, 2023
By David Draper
Back in 1973, there was a lot riding on that very first issue. With no subscribers yet, that magazine had to sell well on America's newsstands to be considered successful. That meant capturing the attention of readers with bold graphics and creative cover blurbs, including my personal all-time favorite: "I Organized the Anti-Hunting Freaks!"
Front-cover strategies have evolved over time, but the mission is still the same—get would-be readers to pick up a copy. It's a dark art, and we're often surprised by what works and what doesn't. Our favorite covers don't always resonate with readers, and some we're unsure about sell out. What we do know, for 50 years, HUNTING has been the premier magazine devoted to hunters, from the front cover to the last page.
To pick up your copy of the 50th Anniversary issue of Petersen's HUNTING click here .
December 2014 - January 2015
December 2017 - January 2018
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David Draper
Editor-in-Chief
An avid hunter and accomplished writer, David Draper has traveled the globe in search of good stories and good food, yet his roots remain firmly planted in the soil of his family's farm on the High Plains of Nebraska. As a young man, his dreams were fueled by daily trips to the original Cabela's retail store, which stood a short four blocks from his childhood home. The ensuing years spent chasing his passions for adventure and the outdoors have taken him from the shores of Africa's Gambia River to Alaska's Brooks Range. He has hunted birds and big-game on five of the seven continents.
A 20-year industry veteran, Draper has worked in communications, writing and editing roles for the biggest names in the industry. In addition to bylines in scores of publications, he also served as the editor for the hunting journals of Dick and Mary Cabela and contributed to several books on the outdoors. Draper is Editor-in-Chief of Petersen's Hunting magazine, where he also writes the Fare Game column covering all aspects of processing and cooking wild game.
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