The first issue covered topics including a
moose hunt in
Alaska and advice about
Native Americans. Some of the original sections were titled, "Photography", "Trap and Target", and "In the Game and Field".
Outdoor Life was an innovative publication. In 1903, the first photograph was printed on the cover in black and white. A short time later, in 1906, the first color cover appeared on the magazine.
Outdoor Lifes editorial coverage followed its audience's interests in new developments, such as
aviation,
boating, and
motor vehicles. However, it stayed true to its original focus: the
outdoorsman. Over the years, many notable people have contributed to the magazine: former President
Teddy Roosevelt contributed from 1901 to 1904;
Zane Grey, a well-known adventure writer and big game fisherman, was a frequent contributor between 1918 and 1932; and
Ernest Hemingway was accompanied by an
Outdoor Life writer on a marlin fishing trip to
Cuba in 1935. Other famous contributors include
Amelia Earhart,
Clark Gable, and
Babe Ruth. In 1934,
Outdoor Life moved from its original location in Denver to
New York City, where it remains today. For many years,
Outdoor Life was owned by the
Popular Science Publishing Company, which was purchased by
Times Mirror in 1967.
Time Inc. bought the Times Mirror magazines in 2001. In 2007,
Time Warner sold
Outdoor Life and several other publications to
Bonnier Corporation. In 2020, Bonnier Corporation sold the publication and several other titles to North Equity. North Equity formed Recurrent Ventures as holding company for the acquired publications.
Outdoor Life was reduced from 9 issues a year to a quarterly publication in January 2018. On June 9, 2021,
Outdoor Life announced ceasing print publication and moving to an entirely digital format. == Other media and awards ==