Not only famous outdoor writers, but politicians, novelists, and entertainers have graced our pages over the decades.
Photo above: Erle Stanley Gardner (1889-1970), the novelist who created the Perry Mason detective series, was also a frequent contributor to Sports Afield.
Throughout its 133-year history, Sports Afield has published the writings of the nation’s top outdoor experts, conservationists, and gunwriters. Not only that, but articles and stories by U.S. presidents, senators, novelists, captains of industry, and even a famous burlesque entertainer have graced our pages over the years. Below is a list of a few of the more famous names who have had articles published in Sports Afield since its founding.
Russell Annabel: (1904-1979) Alaska’s best known outdoor writer, author of more than 300 articles over 40 years.
Peter Beard: (1938-2020) Artist, photographer, and writer. Author of The End of the Game.
Nash Buckingham: (1880-1971) One of the most widely read and best-loved outdoor writers of his time; authority on upland birds and waterfowl.
Charles Cottar: (d. 1939) Famous African professional hunter and safari operator.
Erle Stanley Gardner: (1889-1970) Famous novelist and mystery writer known for the Perry Mason series of detective stories.
Grits Gresham: (1922-2008) Internationally known sportsman, author, and TV personality. Host of ABC’s The American Sportsman from 1966 to 1979.
Zane Grey: (1872-1939) Famous novelist known for his Western adventure stories. Author of Riders of the Purple Sage.
Jim Harrison: (1937-2016) Poet, novelist, and essayist; author of more than three dozen books, including Legends of the Fall.
Randolph A. Hearst: (1915-2000) Publishing executive, son of William Randolph Hearst.
Ernest Hemingway: (1899-1961) World famous author and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.
Patrick Hemingway: (b. 1928) Former African safari operator, manager of the intellectual property of his father, Ernest Hemingway.
Herbert Hoover: (1874-1964) President of the United States, 1929-1933.
Dr. Frank Hibben: (1910-2002) Archeologist, professor at University of New Mexico, Weatherby Award winner.
Gene Hill: (1928-1997) Beloved writer of outdoor tales, especially involving dogs and upland birds
Hubert Humphrey: (1911-1978) Vice President of the United States, 1965-1969; Senator from Minnesota, 1949-1964 and 1971-1978.
John Jobson: (d. 1979) Pillar of Sports Afield for 27 years; camping editor for 16 years and hunting editor for 11.
Robert F. Jones: (1934-2002) Novelist, journalist, outdoor writer for Sports Illustrated.
Elmer Keith: (1899-1984) Gunwriter instrumental in the development of magnum handgun cartridges.
Gypsy Rose Lee: (1911-1970) Burlesque entertainer, actress, and author.
Nick Lyons: Founder of Lyons Press, well-known publisher of fishing and outdoor books.
John Madson (1923-1995): Conservationist, journalist, and proponent of tallgrass prairie ecosystems.
Gordon Macquarrie (1900-1956): Oudoor writer known for literary-minded short stories on hunting and fishing and his fictional Old Duck Hunters’ Association.
Thomas McGuane: (b. 1939) Novelist, essayist, member of the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame.
Annie Oakley: (1860-1926) Sharpshooter, star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Jack O’Connor: (1902-1978) Author and outdoorsman known for his extensive knowledge of hunting and shooting and for being a proponent of the .270 Winchester.
Sigurd F. Olson: (1899-1982) Author, wilderness guide, and champion of wilderness protection.
Roy Rogers: (1911-1998) Famous actor and singer, one of the most popular Western stars of his era. Known as “The King of the Cowboys.”
P.J. O’Rourke: (b. 1947) Political satirist, humor writer.
Jimmy Robinson: (1896-1986) Longtime Sports Afield writer and editor, shotgunning expert, founder of ATA Hall of Fame, instrumental in the founding of Ducks Unlimited.
Archibald Rutledge: (1883-1973) Author of books and poems about hunting and life in South Carolina. Poet Laureate of South Carolina from 1934 to 1973.
Harry Selby: (1925-2018) African professional hunter best known for guiding Robert Ruark.
Ted Trueblood: (1913-1983) Outdoor writer and editor, conservationist.
Guy de la Valdene (b. 1944) Writer, photographer, filmmaker (Tarpon, 1974), author of For a Handful of Feathers.
Col. Townsend Whelen: (1877-1961) Hunter, soldier, writer, and rifleman, author of more than 2,000 magazine articles on shooting and the outdoors, developer of the .35 Whelen.
Lee Wulff: (1905-1991) Angler, author, outfitter, and conservationist who made significant contributions to the sport of fly fishing and the conservation of Atlantic salmon.
