50 Years Of American Hunter

by
posted on May 9, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
50 Years Of American Hunter

An announcement of the launch of The American Hunter magazine appeared in the pages of The American Rifleman a half-century ago this month. The following month, the new title’s first “issue” was bound within the pages of this one.

The American Hunter magazine cover and inside page description screenshot

A few months later, in October 1973, the first discrete issue of The American Hunter arrived to NRA member readers.

The American Hunter magazine cover man hunter camouflage ducks water boat canoe grasses outdoors river pond lake

By way of explanation, an editorial in the June issue of The American Rifleman stated, “Hunting reading is always in season, as the NRA discovered by several samplings of opinion among its million members.”

magazine excerpt overlay cover yellow hunting guns hunter outdoors adventures stories announcement new magazine the american hunter

Today, American Hunter is the second largest NRA Official Journal, accounting for about that many NRA readers on its own, and it is, without doubt, one of the most highly respected titles of its kind in the world.

American Hunter magazine cover blacktail deer

Latest

AO M1 SBR 01
AO M1 SBR 01

Short & Classic: Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine SBR

While many short-barreled rifles available today are based on the latest designs, there are a few classic models in the mix, too, such as Auto-Ordnance's M1 Carbine SBR.

Review: Garmin Xero C2 Chronograph

Garmin doubled down and, hot off the introduction of its Xero C1 chronograph, introduced its next-generation Xero C2, which provides some added capabilities and features over the original.

The "Nub Sub:" KelTec's Ultra-Compact SUB-SDP

KelTec is expanding its SUB2000 line yet again with the SUB-SDP, a foldable, braced pistol that KelTec folks colloquially refer to as the "Nub Sub."

Gun of the Week: EAA Girsan Witness2311 CMXX

One of the latest options in EAA's line of 2011-style handguns is the Witness2311 CMXX, which incorporates a large, single-port compensator at the muzzle end.

The Armed Citizen® July 24, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: Freedom Ordnance FM-9D

New small arms with groundbreaking designs are rare in an industry where new products tend to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Fortunately, Freedom Ordnance marches to the beat of a different drum and invested its creative energy into developing the unique, innovative FM-9D. 

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.