A child was asked recently, "How many seasons are there?""There are six. There is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter . . . and turkey season and deer season," replied the child.

The leaves are turning colors, fading from various shades of green to bright oranges and finally to vibrant yellows. The air hasan earthy scent and a piercing, yet o so familiar chill. The thought of the impending deer season evades everything that has previously been on your mind . . . BUCK FEVER!! You can't wait until you can finally set foot in that stand. This is the time of year, your heart yearns for.

You have prepared for the following day for months. After analyzingall possible situations, you have finally decided on the perfect location for your stand. You have sat, watched, studied, and listened.

You have scouted and you have walked . . . and walked . . . and walked. You have put out your trail cameras in hopes that you will obtain abetter understanding of these creatures. You have been ever-so patient as the velvet-covered antlers finish producing those last few inches.

It is agonizing, this wait. Why can't these next few hours be a thing of the past. You have shown more self-control than you ever thought you had. You have cleared your shooting paths, checked your sights, fine-tuned your scope, and cleaned your weapon. You have purchased new camo, stocked up on cover scent, calls, and ammunition. You are prepared in case the unpredictable weather changes. Your emergency kit has been stocked. You have everything.

You know you need sleep, but every time you close your eyes yourtrophy and all its glory stares back at you. Are you being taunted bya whitetail? You ask yourself repeatedly if you are ready. Of courseyou are ready! You have been watching this buck for months. You know his routine. You have memorized every amazing aspect of this deer and know every inch of his rack. Then you begin to second guess everything and imagine all the things that could go wrong. You drift off to sleep and your thoughts, your anticipation, your fears, now becomes your dream. You are quietly perched in your stand. The amber colored sun is softly kissing the earth as it creeps over the trees. The birds are greeting all of God's creations with the melodies that they have known since birth. It is cold. You rub your hands together and cup them closely around your mouth as your warm breath provides just enough heat to maintain feeling.

The wind direction is perfect. The squirrels are scratching around in the leaves below you and you spot one scurrying up a nearby tree. You concentrate on the far end of the field where your attention is drawn by movement. Your buck appears 150-yards away and is gradually making his way to you.

He is magnificent; a perfectly shaped 12-point with split G-2s. You are certain you have never seen a more beautiful whitetail. You slowly raise your binoculars to get a better look. Your heart starts beating faster. He is now at 100-yards. Your breathing is more labored. He stops at 60-yards and gazes around at this familiar territory which has been his home for the past summer. Your eyes unite with those of this trophy. You become a statue . . . frozen. You are afraid to move . . . to even blink.

He is now at 40-yards. His fall coat shimmers under the bright sunlight. As he lowers his head to nibble at the clover, you carefully, slowly, and quietly raise your weapon. His white tail occasionally flickers and his ears seem to be searching for any signs of warning. Everything around you disappears as you fully focus on your target. Then, just as you release the safety and prepare to take this once-in-a-lifetime shot . . . you wake up.