July 2020 • Nebraskaland 69
Send contributions to: Portraits from the Past, Nebraskaland Magazine, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370. Or e-mail to Tim.Reigert@Nebraska.gov. Photos
should show people enjoying Nebraska outdoor activities, such as camping, boating, hunting or fishing, and must have been taken before 1990. We will give priority
to unusual photos or activities. When possible, please include a story about the photograph and identify the people, places and approximate date it was taken. Text
may be edited and photos adjusted for reproduction. All photos will be returned.
This is a photo of me, Henry (Hank) Topil, taken in
November 1968 when I was 16 years old. This was the first
year I was old enough to have a firearm deer permit. I was
asked by my older cousins, the late Tom Topil and Rich
Topil, to go hunting with them. Larry Skinner also hunted
with us. We hunted on private land south of Columbus on
Clear Creek and the South Channel. I harvested this 4-by-4
buck right at sun up on opening day. I can still remember
shaking with "buck fever." I still enjoy hunting with my
sons, although we have switched more toward archery. I
enjoy reading Nebraskaland every month.
– Hank Topil, Rising City
Here is Claire Hirschman, Luthar Asbra, Chuck
Hirschman and Ron Hirschman on one more great deer
hunt around Laurel.
– Charles Hirschman, Coleridge
Pictured from left: my father
John Gilbert of Omaha, uncle
Jerry Gilbert of Bellevue and
uncle Jim Gilbert of Falls City.
The photo was taken between
1946 and 1950 near Randolph.
The three brothers were part
of a hunting party of six to
seven. Dad said the limit was
five roosters each.
They all grew up hunting,
fishing and trapping on a farm
near Rulo in the first half of
the 20th century.
– Mike Gilbert, Bellevue
