Hunters accept challenge in Upland Slam

Russ Befort now has completed the Nebraska Upland Slam four times in four seasons.

The 43-year-old from Shawnee, Kansas, knows he couldn’t have done it alone. He credits his dog, Otis, for playing a “critical” role.

While hunting the greater prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse, after walking several miles, Befort was presented just one shot on each bird. Otis, a Kliene Munsterlander, was able to retrieve each downed bird.

Befort was randomly drawn as the grand prize winner in the eighth year of the Upland Slam, winning a Winchester SX4 Upland Field 12-gauge shotgun.

The western Kansas drou...