You're in the mood again aren't you? You know the one, every time you see a tree you look for the next big buck to walk out from behind it don't you? Well its already August so the time for deer season is drawing ever nearer, but are you really ready?

Have you shot your rifle yet to make sure it's sighted in? Are your deer stands in good shape? Are your fall food plants planted or ready to be planted? Are your feeders even working? Well, there can be a lot to do so here's a checklist to help insure that you're ready.

Guns: Are your guns sighted in with a specific brand and grain of ammunition? Do you have plenty of that ammunition to insure that you don't have to switch shells during the season? Do you have a backup gun in case you encounter a problem during an extended hunting trip?

Stands: Are your stands structurally safe? Check to make sure no wood is rotten, and on metal stands make sure nothing is excessively rusted. Make sure no unwanted guests are present; especially check for wasps, hornets, and bees. Make sure all shooting lanes are clear of obstruction.

Food Plots: August is a sort of food plot dead time (no pun intended). However, it is a good time to get the ground disked if necessary. It is also a good time to research and decide which type of seed you wish to plant.

Feeders: If you haven't fed since the end of last deer season (an ill advised but sometimes necessary action) then you desperately need to check your feeders. Depending on what type of feeder you use, there is a good chance your batteries are shot. Also make sure your feeders are going off at the desired times.

Other: August is a great time to monitor game cams and note the feeding habits and patterns of deer. It is also a chance to make sure you're not overrun with undesired animals such as raccoons and hogs that are keeping deer from getting to your feed. Also check on all optics such as binoculars and range finders.

With all this being said, I'll probably be the fool you hear about who forgets his gun on opening morning, but hope this helps. Until next time do your part to help clear the skies: shoot a duck.