Hunting offers needed chance to enjoy outdoors

A suspicious letter at the McCook post office turned out to be harmless, but we should all be thankful that the postal employees and emergency officials took it seriously.

Wednesday night's incident at the post office may have turned out to be a false alarm, but it gave everyone a chance to work through the details of responding to such an emergency, should one arise again.

It's proof once again that we in rural America are not immune to the threat of terrorism. Farmers and law enforcement officials have long been on the lookout for marijuana harvesters and meth lab operators, but now they must add possible terrorist activities to their watch list.

We hope rural landowners and others who spend time in the countryside keep up the good work. Law enforcement officers can't be everywhere at once, and no one knows the neighborhood better than someone who lives there.

We also hope, however, that jumpy residents don't cry wolf. It would be easier for authorities who have had to respond to many false alarms to miss a real threat.

For instance, don't be alarmed if you see men in camouflage, toting guns across a field in the next few weeks.

They will be hunters in pursuit of wild game, and we welcome them to Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas.

Today's edition includes the 2001-02 Hunting Guide.

While finding a pheasant may be a little more of a challenge this year, there are plenty of deer to be had.

The edition also includes a handy sunrise/sunset table, hunting teams, season schedules and other useful information.

While much of today's news relates to terrorist attacks and America's response, today's hunting guide is a reminder of the joy of an autumn escape into the great outdoors.