Here’s a stunning photo that’s been making the rounds of the internet in the past few weeks. One rumor says that it depicts a group of hunters who were about to lose their hunting lease and simply decided to whack ’em and stack ’em rather than leave a bunch of trophies for the next guys. I’m more inclined to believe that it’s a group of practical jokesters who simply pulled all their great deer mounts off the wall and photographed them in such a way as to make them look like recently killed deer. I see one or two possible bodies on those deer, but the rest look like shoulder mounts. What’s the BBZ POV?

—Gerry Bethge

If you haven't been out looking for shed antlers you are missing out on one of the best springtime activities, bar none! Why? First of all, the reward is a nice addition to your trophy collection especially if you happen across a nice antler or even a matched pair. Finding shed antlers gives you insight on where bucks winter and what a particular buck scores, plus if you find successive years off the same buck you can track antler growth and maturity patterns. While you're tromping through the woods, especially before the major spring green-up, look for beaten-down paths, rub lines and scrape lines. These pathways often glow without foliage to camouflage them.

Here are some tips. First, bring along a binocular and glass for sheds. Look across fields and through woodlands for antler tips, curving objects and shiny surfaces. I spot more than 25 percent of my antlers by glassing. Next, get up high. I'll often get on a bluff or on top of my truck to look across fields for antlers. My favorite way to look for sheds is on horseback. The high vantage point allows me to peer into grass from more than six feet up in the air. You can't do that on a four-wheeler. My horse also saves me wear and tear on my feet and weaves in and out of brushy tight spots four-wheelers can't access either. 

Finally, make your trip a family event. Since my kids were babies I've toted them in backpacks, on my shoulders and horseback through the woods looking for sheds, scouting for deer and checking out turkey hotspots. Cole, my 10-year-old son and I just returned from next door in Montana where we hunted sheds while scouting for whitetail and mule deer. The trip included an overnight campout and a variety of competitions including first antler found, most antlers found, largest single shed and largest matched pair. The scouting was valuable and the memories are priceless. Now get out there!

—Mark Kayser

Those of you who are frequent visitors to the Big Buck Zone know that we often receive unsolicited e-mails and photos of huge bucks or wildlife oddities. Head over to Outdoorlife.com to see the photos that found their way into our inbox and simply beg for more information. This giant of a muley is something that dreams are made of—my dreams at least. Anyone care to venture a guess at its score?
—Gerry Bethge, Deputy Editor 

Sometimes hunters are unjustly labeled as bloodthirsty killers who are inhumane and only looking for a cheap thrill. People who buy into this crackpot theory honestly believe nature and the outdoors are just like the animated cartoons from Disney and that hunting is an unnecessary act that should stay in our past with no place in the future. Anti-hunting organizations are very vocal and often utilize the media to push their inaccurate viewpoints while whining and complaining about just how bad hunters really are for wildlife in general. These groups fail to mention that money generated from selling hunting equipment and license is used to manage wildlife and are responsible for re-introduction stocking programs that ensure healthy populations of animals across the nation.

In reality, all of the negative hype about hunters just doesn’t hold water when you take a look at the facts. The Kids Hunting for a Cure (KHFAC) program clearly illustrates my point and this nonprofit organization composed of hunters does not sit around and complain with celebrities about problems. Instead it brings people together and provides solutions through volunteer and charitable contributions. Hunters like Dr. John Waples, who is the Program Director of the Clearview Cancer Institute, for the Bone Marrow Transplant Program and Dave Norval (Super Dave) a U.S. Army Veteran use hunting to help people with illnesses. The KHFAC organizes and holds hunting events that encourage kids to breakaway from the video games and to get outside to enjoy the outdoors.

These hunts usually begin with a cookout that brings children, guides and sponsors together for an auction and entertainment from country music singers like Troy Gentry. Hunting land is donated from members of the local community and guides take young kids on a hunt. Last year over $55,000 dollars was raised from a deer hunt alone and more than 100 whitetails were tagged by young hunters. KHFAC donates a minimum of 51% of its proceeds to St. Jude’s Children Hospital and up to a maximum of 49% of its proceeds to local research hospitals and foundations.

The primary goals of KHFAC are to raise money to help people in need and to promote hunting and the outdoors among today’s youth. If you would like to get involved or start a local charter of your own you can visit the KHFAC website at www.kidshuntingforacure.org. Organizations like these show how the heritage of hunting can bring people together to help solve problems and to make society a better place to live. I would like to thank Dr. John Waples, Dave Norval, Dr. Clifton Higgins and other members of the KHFAC program for all of their hard work and dedication for this very worthy cause.

-Travis Faulkner