By Stuart Payne

Editor's Note: Hunters and anglers are known to be among the most passionate protectors of wildlife, despite the attempts of anti-hunting groups to convince you otherwise. These same protectors of the wildlife quietly go about introducing less fortunate individuals to the outdoors with amazing regularity. It's not done for PR value, image building or the usual "guilt" issues associated with "charitable donations." Most of the time, it's not even something you read about.

One of those events is the Buckmasters American Deer Foundation Life Hunt. BADF's hunt takes as many sick or physically challenged individuals as possible into the great outdoors for what is, for most of them, the hunt of a lifetime. Recently, Buckmasters extended an invitation to our editor to attend Life Hunt 2005. A schedule conflict prevented his attendance, but an experienced hunter, photographer and all around good-guy, Stuart Payne agreed to stand-in. The following is Stuart's recounting of the Life Hunt. We hope you enjoy reading about another of those quiet efforts made to share the outdoors with everyone.

"Hi, Welcome to Sedgefield Plantation." That's how Andy Huggins, the National Chapter Director for Buckmasters American Deer Foundation greeted me to the BADF Life Hunt 2005. BADF Life Hunts give the very sick or physically challenged opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors - and thehunt of a lifetime. It's no-cost to the hunters and is provided by local Buckmasters chapters, property owners and both corporate and individual sponsors.

Anyone with a life threatening condition can apply for a hunt. The number of hunts are based on the hunt availability and funding.
This year's hunt was being held at Sedgefield Plantation, one of, if not the premier Whitetail deer properties in the state of Alabama. For the last four decades, owner Jim Hinton, has managed the property for the benefit of deer, quail, turkey, duck and other wild game. For the past two decades, Hinton has generously allowed his time and property to be used for this type of "special" hunt. The Hintons believe in sharing the benefits of their labor. They're also prime examples of what a gracious host is all about. The hospitality they showed everyone was great.

This year's BADF Life Hunt was held the second week in January; but the temperatures were more like April, up in the 70s. Driving to Sedgefield Plantation, I was thinking of getting out the ultralite gear and going for slab bluegill, not deer.

That all changed as soon as I entered Sedgefield Plantation.
Bucks were chasing does through nearly every field. It was as though antlers were everywhere. For a hunter used to public lands and management areas I thought I had died and gone to whitetail heaven. It was nearly 70 degrees and you are not supposed to see deer like that. And I mean serious deer.

As Jackie Bushman of Buckmasters welcomed everyone, he commented on the high temperatures and told us that if you're hunting in warm weather "Sedgefield is the place to be". I found myself nodding in agreement. I believe every one of the first time guests were like me: in that happy daze of building excitement. I was like the proverbial "kid in the candy store". My size eleven and a half boots were barely touching the ground. Needless to say, no more thoughts of bluegill.

The Buckmasters film crews accompanied as many of the hunters as they could. You'll be able to see the action in the upcoming Buckmasters TV season. It will be worth the time viewing to see these lucky hunters enjoying a hunt of a lifetime.
Everyone was seeing deer, even with the high temperatures. As you would expect, the stories told around dinner were neat to hear. The most exciting had to be the youngsters who had harvested their first deer. There were also a few shirttails cut for misses!

The father and son team of Leon and Mark Schuh definitely had the hunt of a lifetime. These Eau Clair, Wisconsin natives, both harvested bucks. Great bucks. During our first afternoon hunt Mark took a 166-inch B&C 12 point. The next morning, Leon took a 135 inch 10 point. These two guys definitely didn't spend their Life Hunt 2005 worrying about their illnesses. Mark, you see, has leukemia and Leon has prostate cancer.

"All our friends wanted to know why we were going to Alabama to hunt. They don't have any big deer down there," Leon told me, "Now we're going back with two bigger deer than any of our friends have."
It wasn't about their illness for a few days in Alabama. It was about the outdoors. Hunters from nine states attended Life Hunt 2005. All of us had a wonderful time. For me, those memories will, indeed, last a lifetime.

(Note: Stuart's being modest. He harvested a pair of "pretty good" deer as well.)