Cover by John Hafner

There is a curious assumption in modern life that newer automatically means better. Every season promises the next innovation, the next platform, the next trend that will change everything. In the rush to embrace what’s new, we sometimes forget that longevity isn’t an accident. What endures usually does so because it’s proven its worth over and over. The hunting world has always understood this better than most.

In this issue of Covey Rise, we learn that true innovation isn’t about abandoning the past—it’s about building on it. That spirit is perhaps best embodied by Beretta. For five centuries—an almost unimaginable 500 years—the company has endured not because it clung to the past but by respecting it while continuing to evolve. Every generation has added something to the one before, blending time-honored craftsmanship with new ideas, technology, and fresh thinking. In a world obsessed with what’s next, Beretta reminds us that the greatest innovations are often built upon the strongest foundations.

We also have a fantastic feature by Reid Bryant about Robert Earl Keen, an iconic musician who certainly personifies this successful spirit of longevity. Through illustrations by Fred Stivers and a story by Claire Sadler, we honor the history and tradition of Beretta, the family that started it all, and their innovation to change the future. Our feature on Dubarry is a reminder that some brands don’t chase trends—they set standards. Our piece about Chef Tim Maddams reminds us that the story of a hunt is only half complete until it’s shared around the table. The Isle of Muck comes vividly to life through Sarah Farnsworth’s extraordinary photography, revealing a landscape where nature still sets the rhythm.

We tip our cap to those who have come before us, those who have embraced longevity, and those who are willing to innovate for our future. May these stories remind us that the things worth preserving are often the very things that continue to evolve. We hope you enjoy this issue!

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A Keen Observer: From struggles to the sporting life, the story of Robert Earl Keen

1526: For 500 years, Beretta has been made in Italy by the people

The Beretta Spark: Why innovation and tradition are not opposites

Built to Last, Made to Live In: The Dubarry story from sail to field

The Magic of Muck: Wild country, hard weather, and mystique

In Season: Chef Tim Maddams cooks—and lives—by what the land provides