The History of Bowhunting Magazines — From the 1950s to Today
Long before hunting videos and social media, bowhunters passed their lessons through print. Magazines carried the voices of pioneers like Fred Bear, Ben Pearson, and Art Young, giving readers both instruction and inspiration. From the early archery journals of the 1930s to the rugged outdoor magazines of the 1950s, these publications shaped the bowhunting community. Today, while many titles have disappeared or gone digital, a few still carry the torch — and one new magazine is bringing the golden-era style back to life.
🏹 The Early Days (1930s–1950s)
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Ye Sylvan Archer (1930s) — One of the first archery-focused periodicals.
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Archery (1940s) — Covered both competitive archery and bowhunting’s rise.
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Outdoor Life & Field & Stream (1950s) — Not bowhunting-specific, but featured Fred Bear and other icons who made stickbows famous.
🏹 The Growth Era (1960s–1980s)
As bowhunting exploded in popularity, more dedicated titles appeared.
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Bow & Arrow Magazine — First published in the 1960s.
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Sports Afield — Carried hunting features, often with archery included.
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Bowhunting sections within larger outdoor magazines gained prominence.
🏹 The Niche Era (1989–2000s)
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Traditional Bowhunter Magazine (1989–present) — The first major title devoted exclusively to traditional archery.
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Bowhunter Magazine — Broader coverage of bowhunting, with both compound and trad stories.
🏹 The Digital Shift (2010s–2020s)
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Field & Stream and Outdoor Life ended their print runs, moving online.
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Smaller magazines struggled as ad revenue dried up and digital competition grew.
🆕 The Revival (2025–Present)
In 2025, Trad Hunters Magazine launched — a digest-sized, vintage-inspired hunting magazine that blends hunting stories, wilderness survival, and history. Designed in the spirit of the 1950s but built for today, it marks a return to the collectible, ad-light style that defined the golden age of hunting print.
❓ Questions Hunters Ask
What was the first bowhunting magazine?
One of the earliest was Ye Sylvan Archer in the 1930s.
When did Traditional Bowhunter Magazine start?
Traditional Bowhunter was founded in 1989 and continues to publish today.
Are there any new bowhunting magazines?
Yes. Trad Hunters Magazine, launched in 2025, is the newest bowhunting title.
Why did many hunting magazines shut down?
The decline of print advertising and the rise of digital media forced many titles to close or move online.
