Sports Afield

Sports Afield (SA) was founded in 1887 by Claude King, as a hunting and fishing magazine, and it is the oldest continuously published outdoor magazine in North America. The first issue, in January 1888, was eight pages long; it was printed on newspaper stock and published in Denver, Colorado. Together with Outdoor Life and Field & Stream, it is one of the Big Three in American outdoor magazines. Initially only a magazine, Sports Afield started applying its name on branded products after WW II. This program greatly expanded in the 21st century, and the Sports Afield Brand is now available on dozens of products such as back packs, camping equipment, clothing, household decorations, knives, sunglasses, vault-type safes, and even log cabins.

"Journal for Gentlemen"

The “Journal for Gentlemen” promised, in King’s words, “To be devoted to hunting, fishing, rifle and trap shooting, the breeding of thorough-bred dogs, cycling, and kindred sports…” The subscription price was $1.50 per year, with single copies selling for 15 cents. A few years later, King expounded on his philosophy: “Sports Afield has an ambition above that of simply entertaining and amusing the public; it wants to help propagate the true spirit of gentle sportsmanship, to encourage indulgence in outdoor recreations, and to assist in the dissemination of knowledge regarding natural history, photography, firearms, and kindred subjects.”