January-February 2026 • Nebraskaland 65
Deer hunting in Valentine, Circa 1973
From left: Larry Hansen (me), Mike Loofe, Chris Loofe and Bob Wingert.
This picture was taken after a great hunt in the Valentine area.
– Larry Hansen, Wayne
Goose hunting near Rulo, 1974
Mel Knopp Jr. (left) hunting with an unidentified
Goodyear coworker. Both Canadas and snows were
harvested. Mel was my dear old childhood hunting
buddy in Lincoln. Unfortunately, he passed away
in November 2013 at 58 years old. I ran into these
photos recently and thought Portraits of the Past
would be a great tribute to Mel.
– Jeffrey Obrecht, Cheyenne, Wyoming
