Grew Up Next to Original Cabela's… Now Runs Peterson's Hunting

In this engaging episode of the Taking Aim podcast, host Richard Nance catches up with longtime friend David Draper, Editor-in-Chief of Peterson's Hunting magazine. Draper shares his Nebraska roots—growing up blocks from the original Cabela's, walking past it daily as a kid, and developing a lifelong passion for the outdoors through family waterfowl hunts with his dad. He traces his journey from avid young wing shooter (who struggled to hit his first duck) to big-game hunter after college influences, and eventually to his career path: starting as a catalog copywriter at Cabela's, freelancing, and landing at Peterson's Hunting. The conversation explores the challenges and joys of wing shooting (unlearning precision habits, instinctive swinging, and the benefits of red-dot optics like Aimpoint's shotgun mounts), parallels between wing shooting, dangerous-game hunting, and tactical scenarios (quick acquisition, both-eyes-open shooting), and the value of red dots for fast-moving threats. Draper highlights his transformative DIY caribou hunt in Alaska as a pivotal "why I hunt" moment, full of raw adventure, isolation, and instinctual connection. They discuss emerging hunting trends (resurgent lever actions, affordable accurate rifles, long-range tech), challenges like land access and rising costs, and the excitement of growing participation (especially among women). The episode blends personal storytelling, practical shooting insights, and enthusiasm for hunting as an accessible, rewarding pursuit—ending with a nod to Peterson's Hunting as a big-game authority and a call to get outdoors.Visit Petersen’s Hunting at: https://www.petersenshunting.com/Follow Rich Nance on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nance_training_consulting/ and https://www.instagram.com/rnancewartac/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AimpointUSAVisit Aimpoint.com to learn more: https://www.aimpoint.com/ PRODUCED BY IRONCLAD