Cover by Heather Durham

This October-November issue of Covey Rise showcases the many facets of the true art of our upland lifestyle—crucial characteristics that tell the whole story of the hunt for us to celebrate this season.

Singer-songwriter Chris Janson’s dedication to his family and the outdoors are true passions that fuel and inspire him to entertain audiences at country music’s highest level. His story, from pond fishing with his son to entertaining thousands of fans at the Grand Ole Opry, is vividly told in the article “Days Afield and Opry Nights” through the writing of Miles DeMott and photography of Heather Durham.

When you hunt this fall, try to stop and appreciate the whole story—the wonderful complexity of the landscape and the personalities of your partners that surround you. In his article “Forest for the Trees,” Reid Bryant describes an October morning in the Northwoods of Minnesota that reveals intricate treasures from moments that are seemingly nondescript. “I tried in my mind’s eye to imagine that sweep of autumn woodland as the sum of its tiny parts: of popple whips and fallen leaves, of earthworms and drumming logs, of muddy footprints and the memories of shots long since taken, and long since made or missed.”

Some artists and hunters understand and appreciate the traditions bestowed upon us by our forefathers, and Gregg Elliott, in his article “Made Old Again,” describes how Kade Gile does just that by restoring old gun cases with precise, historical accuracy. “Every old gun case has a story to tell, and every time Kade works on one, he uncovers part of its tale,” Gregg wrote. “One hundred years from now, someone may recognize Kade’s work, too. If they do, they’re sure to be impressed not only by his thoughtfulness for restoring cases to their historical period, but also by the detailed and artful hand of his high-quality work.”