Cover by John Hafner

As the pace of the season slows in a constant countdown to the unfortunate end, the stories in Covey Rise are crucial for us these days. Six times a year, the magazine makes the time stand still for all of us who love the upland lifestyle.

Sitting down and thumbing through the pages takes us to another place, another time, and gives us vision for the future. The stories force us to slow down and enjoy all that the captivating words and spectacular images do for our imagination, hopes, and dreams for future hunts and travels. A celebration is, in itself, reflection upon the good times, and we appreciate this in spades through spirits, cigars, and camaraderie. We honor those who came before us while understanding the need, through hunter recruitment and conservation, to preserve the heritage for the next generation.

In this issue, Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota honors her family values grown from her rural roots to uphold the hunting traditions of the people she represents. From growing up on a ranch to owning a pheasant-hunting business, she understands the connection between hunters and the land, because she has lived this life herself.

The story by Oliver Hartner with photography from Terry Allen about walking into Darlington Gun Works in South Carolina brings shooters back in time to revel in the legacy of classic shotguns. Jim Kelly and his team protect the integrity of gunsmithing’s past with vision for enhancing our firearms’ future.

Reid Bryant and Brian Grossenbacher use an upland key of amazing storytelling and photography to open the door to the potential of hunting California quail in the Baja Desert of Mexico. These birds represent more than just a hunt, but instead bridge lives together for a special group of friends.

Prairie chickens light the upland fire on the pastures of Nebraska in the story “High Plains Heat” featuring a diverse cast of characters who embrace the challenge to find that proverbial upland needle in the haystack. From the birds to the bourbon, this hunt represents the pinnacle example of why we work so hard in the field with the goal to end it with a celebration at dusk each day.