1.   And though this season started with a sparse initial crop because the weather was dry, some truffle hunters have been finding big ones.

2.   Local truffle hunters say they have detected a pattern in the distribution of the poisoned meat patties.

3.   Whether you talk to truffle hunters or hunters, everyone is angry.

4.   Earlier this year, French truffle hunters cried foul when it was discovered that Chinese mushroom farmers were passing off bland tasting look-alikes as the real thing.

5.   Most of the dog victims have been truffle hunters, though some are game hunting dogs that gobble up the deadly bait, mainly meat laced with strychnine.

6.   Truffle hunters also may be feeling the heat from illegal Albanian imports, a recent phenomenon.

7.   Truffle hunters are known as a highly secretive and competitive bunch.

8.   Truffle hunters use pigs and dogs to sniff the ground for the rare fungi, which clings to underground tree roots.