Regarding the September/October issue of Sporting Classics

Apparently, we have ignited quite the fire storm on social media and Instagram over the upcoming September/October cover featuring Allie Butler and Katie Van Slyke. Contrary to our modus operandi of publishing now and apologizing later, that admittingly has at times left us dodging ahead of the hounds, in this instance, it would seem that we, that proverbial rabbit, will undoubtably have this argument follow us all the way into our hole lest we meet the opposition forthright.

In publishing they say the only magazines that sell are those with girls on the front covers and no front covers on the girls. And, one might suppose this to have been our initiative. However, we did, with great scrutiny and intentions no less than admirable, select these two for the cover based on their genuine enthusiasm for the sport and popularity among the female hunting set, as the cover is a tie-in to our Women’s Column, a treatise on the rise of women hunters within the industry.

We might justly argue the fairness therein lies to prematurely critique the entirety of an issue still dripping wet at the printer based on the cover as a standalone. However, as a precursor to the release of an issue, onethat we could not have been more pleased with, an issue chock full of a variety of unique and interesting content, we should clear the air of such matters and move on.

The speculation that we are using sex to sell here is to be traveling far off base. With neither timidity or reserve, we have in the past presented covers much more risque. Albeit illustrations and not photography, these vintage pin-ups were purposely created as eye candy.

Suffice to say, Allie and Katie are camo-clad all the way to full sleeves. The only flesh apparent is on their hands and what skin is visible beneath their face paint. There is nothing sexy or in any way deviant about them or obscene in their posing. Thusly, for one to get his rut all up ogling this photo might indicate, perhaps, that he has been amiss in the wilds a tad bit too long.

The ensuing argument then accordingly would pertain to the legitimacy of these young women as hunters.

Essentially, this is a portrait, bona fide and relevant unto its own in regard to our sport in general. The grandeur of hunting that is the purity of the sport does not concern itself with the killing of game or the difficulties of the pursuit.

Cannot someone appreciate the wonder of the outdoors, the sheer beauty of the creatures, the magnificence of nature without being an expert or extremist. Certainly, the old hand and amateur alike feel the same homey warmness of the mackinaw fitting snuggly as they brace themselves against a bitter wind, delight at the same thunderous gobble of a Tom turkey as misting rain turns the spring woods green. And the whitetail buck hanging from the meat pole, does the blood from his nose not drip upon the same dirt we were all created from.

Indeed these cover girls do not possess the he-man reputation of a Cameron Hanes. But for that matter, not many men do. Additionally, few are afforded the means, time, or good fortune to go off grid for weeks at a time in the farthest and highest corners of the earth.

While the Donnie Vincents of the hunting world might be the gold standard by which we all strive, these girls may in fact be a truer, more realistic representation of the whole of hunters.

Just as the bard learns from reading, likewise those who spend time amongst nature are taught how to become a part of nature. As Brigham Young put it, “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.”

The fact that they are women should in no way detract from the significance of their outdoor passions. Far too long, we as male sportsmen haven’t let them in.

Unquestionably, they go about things in their own feminine ways, but isn’t that what makes them special? How boring a hunt would be without a sunrise. Likewise the sporting world, without that inexplicable je ne sais quois they bring along in all they do.

Years from now, long after the pages of this upcoming issue have since been soiled in the bottom of the birdcage, it will not be the cover image that my mind will recall when I reflect on the assemblage of this issue, only a simple stack of Polaroids that found their way across my desk. Doug and Allie Butler were pictured in a collection of photographs that so poignantly documented the devotion of a father to his daughter and to his sport, rearing them in accordance that one might be bettered by the other.
Even as you with your pop, even as I with mine, most of us started out the same way.

Pertaining to the clamor over the magazine yet to be released, I am compelled to remind our accusers that before one goes traipsing into that lettuce patch after rabbits, bear in mind the old adage: “You never judge a book by its cover.” Of this I am certain, that once the September/October issue has been seen collectively, there will be less eyebrow-raising in lieu of glasses held high as we toast one of the finest issues we have yet to put together. As for those baritones so concerned over women being featured on the cover, rest assured men, you can enjoy this issue without fear of heightening your voice.

Without further ado here is a selection of highlights from an otherwise outstanding September/October Table of Contents:

• An Interview with Cameron Hanes
• Mister Howard was a Real Gent by Robert Ruark
• Shanghaied in Papua New Guinea by Gayne Young
• Off the Grid with the EarthRoamer Expedition Vehicle
• The Lightest Rifle Loads by Ron Spomer
• Arrow and bow help a Vietnam vet finds himself again in a fiction piece by Patrick Meitin
• Why the Glory Days of Hunting in Africa Might be Just Ahead
• Jim Shockey hunts China Sheep
• A killer mountain lion is pursued at Flying B Ranch
• Hungarian Partridge on the Homestead
• Big Texas Bucks
• Our Annual Archery and Rifles Review
• Plus much, much more

Sporting Classics is quite simply not satisfied to be the same old hunting and fishing magazine. We are striving to create a product that is spirited and entertaining, and of interest to a broad audience of sportsmen and women, while not diluting its content, but enriching it for both our readers and advertisers. We displayed this in January/February of 2017 when we photographed a Huli tribesman for the cover, and again a year later when 2018 debuted with Andy Warhol’s Rhinoceros. While our intent is not necessarily to be controversial, we do want to be proactive with editorial and imagery not solely refreshing, but that which engages conversations and opens minds. Is that not what a magazine is all about?

– Editor-In-Chief, Ryan Stalvey

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