The 2008 hunting season is fast approaching and the excitement is building among the Salernos.

Looking back on the previous season, your mind relives the long and hard work that was put into tracking down the Adirondack whitetail in its vast home terrain. Most important is where you saw the most signs, feed and cover, and where the big boys bedded also remembering where the does were located.

Scouting during late summer and early fall is as essential as hunting during the season, but remembering past hunts is equally significant in order to shoot a mature whitetail in the Adirondacks.

There are only a few regrets I have hunting. One is I wish I'd started a daily brief journal on my day-to-day hunts. I would include the five "Ws" and one "H" (who, what, when, where, why and how). You may not touch on all the "Ws" and "H," but just a few sentences may help you in the future. Any advantage is a plus because hunting is not just physical; the mental aspect plays a crucial role too.

The physical side becomes more of an issue as you age and preparation is needed during the preseason. I personally prepare three months before the season and slowly increase my intensity as I become less lame after exercising.

Over the years, I have narrowed my regimen to two types of training: biking and running stairs. I alternate each day, increasing the biking miles and duration of stair running. It's important to remember to start out your first few weeks slowly and gradually build to a rate that you're able to handle comfortably.

My personal pace is 22 miles biking three days a week and running stairs at a local school one hour a day, three times a week. Building strength in your legs and increasing your heart rate prepares you for climbing those hills and staying in the woods from sunup to sundown.

Late in the season you won't regret the workouts, because that "monster" may be over the next mountain and you'll have enough stamina to get there!

Being physically and mentally prepared gives you the added advantage, which is in your power to improve. Most of the time, Mother Nature doesn't work in your favor to shoot an Adirondack buck, but hunting smart with all the information from previous years and being in shape for tracking and still-hunting brings down the mature bucks.

I would like to add one quick reminder: Make sure that all your gear from last season is checked thoroughly for wear and tear. Shooting and sighting-in your rifle or bow as much as possible throughout the year is essential.

I hope all hunters have a safe and enjoyable 2008 season. Remember to take a youngster with you if possible, because reliving memorable hunts with family members is a tradition that needs to continue for all hunters.