David Draper

Denver, Great Plains

Editor-in-Chief at Petersen's Hunting Magazine

Professional flack and freelance hack specializing in hunting, fishing, outdoors, food and travel.

Articles

Decked: Awesome Truck Bed Storage and Organization System Revamped - Petersen's Hunting

2 months ago | petersenshunting.com | David Draper

Drawer systems for trucks and SUVs have become increasingly popular among off-roaders and outdoor enthusiasts–probably because we also have an increasingly insane amount of stuff we take afield with us. From long guns to fishing gear to recovery supplies to what-have-you, all that equipment needs a home. A drawer system not only keeps it organized, but also helps secure it from theft and loss.
Patagonia Red Stag Redemption a Half Decade in the Making

Jan 1, 2025 | petersenshunting.com | David Draper

The truck door closed with a near-silent click, followed by a distant roar that rumbled down the wide valley. Darkness gradually ceded to the day, the half-light of dawn revealing gray shadows in the grass-covered flats lining the thin stream. We stalked our way towards the sound, creeping up the valley behind what little cover there was to hide our approach. I could just make out a small herd of red deer in the wan light, the hinds, as female red deer are called, moving into heavier cover.
Venison Backstrap Recipe Ideas

Nov 20, 2024 | fieldandstream.com | Cosmo Genova |David Draper |Jack Hennessy |Jonathan Miles

Venison Backstrap Recipe Ideas: The Ultimate Wild-Game Guide to Cooking Our Favorite CutAs much as we love the look of a shoulder mount or deer skull on the wall—the real trophy of a successful deer hunt is the wild game we bring home. And if you were to poll 1,000 whitetail deer hunters and ask them to pick their favorite cut of venison—their trophy cut—odds are that the majority of them would select the loin—a.k.a. the backstrap.
Bass Fishing Rigs You Should Know

Nov 20, 2024 | fieldandstream.com | Shaye Baker |Cosmo Genova |David Draper |Scott Bestul

There are dozens of ways to rig soft plastic baits to create various presentations for hungry bass. Many of these bass fishing rigs are situational, offering the ideal setup to target specific cover, depth, or forage. Having a simple yet effective arsenal of bass rigs can ensure you’re prepared for any situation. However, it can be daunting to make sense of the various sizes, colors, and shapes of soft plastics paired with the wide variety of hooks, weights, and other terminal tackle.
Testing Nosler's New Whitetail Country Ammunition

Nov 7, 2024 | petersenshunting.com | David Draper

Deer hunting is a classically American pastime, replete with time-honored traditions and experiences that span generations. It’s also the most popular type of hunting, with millions of Americans taking to the whitetail woods on opening day in the hopes of tagging a trophy buck.
Testing Winchester's New 21 Sharp Rimfire Cartridge

Sep 18, 2024 | petersenshunting.com | David Draper

Does the world really need another rimfire? That’s the question I was asking when Winchester’s Jake Wallace handed me a sample of their all-new 21 Sharp rimfire round on a windy spring day here in Nebraska. We were searching out prairie dogs, which were in short supply as one of the state’s blustery cold winds blew across the High Plains. Still, we were there to test and review the 21 Sharp, to see if this diminutive round could really be better than a classic .22.
Early Season Deer Hunting Secrets

Sep 10, 2024 | fieldandstream.com | Dave Hurteau |Scott Bestul |David Draper |Jonathan Miles

I love early season deer hunting. The weather is nice. You don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn, as early season hunting is mostly an afternoon affair. And there’s a easy-going, low-pressure vibe to the first few weeks because you’ve got the whole fall in front of you, with plenty of time to fill your freezer. But, if I’m honest, the biggest reason I love early season deer hunting is because there is absolutely no better time to tag a mature buck that you’ve identified and located.
The Best Elk Hunting Tips for Public Land

Aug 19, 2024 | fieldandstream.com | Jace Bauserman |Richard Mann |David E. Petzal |David Draper

A 350-class bull with cows. Jace BausermanWhoever coined the adage, “knowledge is power,” must’ve been an elk hunter—because when it comes to this pursuit, the more information you have, the more tricks you can put up your sleeve while elk hunting, and the better your chances are of filling the freezer. Here are nine tips and tactics provided by hunters who spend countless hours combing the West each fall in search of big bulls on public land.
Stag Arms Pursuit Rifle Review: Unique Looks, Consistent Accuracy - Petersen's Hunting

Jul 16, 2024 | petersenshunting.com | David Draper

Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases. Less than a decade ago, the big-game rifle business was in a race for the bottom. Every major gun manufacturer was trying to introduce the lowest-priced rifle it could, and consumers could find a good – not great – deer-hunting rifle for less than $400 on the street. Thankfully, for both discerning consumers and gun-company accountants, the precision-rifle world put a hard stop to all that nonsense.
The Best Venison Burger Recipe Ideas

Jun 13, 2024 | fieldandstream.com | Colin Kearns |David Draper |Richard Mann |Phil Bourjaily

What makes the perfect venison burger? That depends on your palette—or what you’re craving. If you ask us, venison burgers are best left simple: cooked to medium-rare on a hot grill (or in a scorching skillet) and served on a potato bun with minimal fixings. If that sounds like your kind of burger, too, we’ve got you covered in this wildly comprehensive guide to the best venison burger recipes.