The hunt is on...

Leaves are starting to fall, as is the temperature, which means that hunting season is almost here.
Like Husker football and Halloween, hunting season is a fall ritual, part of the change of seasons here in the heartland, a tradition imbedded in our Midwest culture.
Recognizing that fact, we decided to turn our attention toward hunting enthusiasts with a special edition focused on that topic. ANR has published a few stories about hunters and hunting over the years, but we’re setting our sights higher this year, and with good reason.
There are some wonderful stories to be told by and about the men and women who love the outdoors and embrace the challenge of the hunt, from the smallest of prey on up to trophy deer and massive elk. We reached out for ideas on this topic and were flooded with sources and stories, some of which you’ll see in this edition, just weeks before the start of the pheasant and rifle deer seasons. 
Jon Bruner, Dane Schafer and Ed Winton shared their love for all things hunting, as did board members at the Crooked Creek Gun Club. Each of those interviews reflects a deep-seeded passion for the great outdoors, as well as a sense of family tradition and friendly camaraderie that goes far beyond the ability to shoot straight. In fact, it feels like we just touched the tip of this iceberg, based on the reaction we received preparing for this project, so this is by no means the end of the story.
Toward that end, we invite the community to watch for and participate in our “Super Shot Contest,” designed as a family-friendly event featuring photos of this season’s hunt. Those photos from the field, whether focused on a trophy buck or a young boy or girl’s first deer, are prize possessions for any family and we want to share that pride and emotion with the community.
Watch for more details on the contest, which will involve online/social media voting formats, with the participants and winners to be recognized in the Dec. 6 ANR.
Until then, be safe, shoot  straight, and  cherish  the  moment.
Kurt Johnson