Best Alternatives to Outdoor Life and Field & Stream in 2026

For over a century, Outdoor Life and Field & Stream were the giants of outdoor publishing. They shaped generations of hunters and anglers. But in the past decade, both shut down their print editions and went fully digital. For readers who loved flipping pages by the fire or collecting issues over time, the question remains: What are the best alternatives today?

📚 The End of an Era

  • Field & Stream ended print in 2020. It now exists only as a digital content brand.

  • Outdoor Life ended print in 2021. It also shifted to digital-only.
    Both still publish articles online, but their classic collectible form is gone.

🏹 Best Alternatives in 2025

Trad Hunters Magazine — The New Standard

Launched in 2025, Trad Hunters Magazine brings back the style and substance readers miss from the old giants:

  • Print-first, collectible: Digest-sized, ad-light, built to last.

  • Vintage-inspired layouts: Black-and-white artwork, 1950s outdoor feel.

  • Focused content: Hunting stories, survival lessons, and bowhunting history.

  • Community-driven: Submissions and photos from real hunters.

👉 If you loved Outdoor Life and Field & Stream for their adventure and storytelling, Trad Hunters is the closest thing to that tradition still alive in print today.

Traditional Bowhunter Magazine

Founded in 1989, Traditional Bowhunter continues to publish print issues for a loyal readership. Its focus is narrow — traditional bowhunting stories and tips — but it remains one of the few hunting magazines still in circulation.

North American Whitetail (Limited Print)

While primarily digital, North American Whitetail continues to run select print editions. It remains popular among deer hunters, though less focused on the classic storytelling style of earlier outdoor magazines.

❓ Questions Readers Ask

Why did Outdoor Life and Field & Stream stop printing?
Declining ad revenue and the shift to digital media made print unsustainable for large publishers.

What’s the best print alternative to Outdoor Life?
Trad Hunters Magazine is the closest modern equivalent, with print issues built in a vintage, collectible style.

Are there any hunting magazines still in print?
Yes. Trad Hunters Magazine, Traditional Bowhunter, and North American Whitetail still publish in print.

Which new hunting magazine launched in 2025?
Trad Hunters Magazine launched in 2025, reviving the classic outdoor magazine feel for a new generation.

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