WAUNAKEE, Wis. -- Thousands of hunters will hit the woods for gun deer season starting on Nov. 21 and the Dane County Sherriff's Department is teaming up with local hunters to make sure the upcoming season is safe.

In Waunakee, hunters at the annual sight-in said that they are anxious to hit the woods.

"We're leaving on Thursday for Sparta," said hunter Jim Schmitz.

But before Schmitz heads out for his 61st deer season, he said he made sure everything was in order –- his gun and his own health. Schmitz took advantage of the free health screening offered at the sight-in.

"I'm 73 years old," said Schmitz. "I'm obviously not skinny, and you can never have these things too much. I think it's just good. Especially when you're going out in the woods and you know you get pretty excited when you see a 10-point buck."

Nurse Beth LePine said that excitement can be fatal.

"The cold temperatures, the adrenaline in their bodies, the fact that they're getting a lot of activity that they haven't had on a regular basis, so heart rate goes up, blood pressure goes up. It's a high risk thing to do," said LePine.

To minimize the risk, LePine and her colleague tested hunters for any blockages they might have in their legs that could indicate a future heart attack or stroke.

"We're catching them probably before they're even seeing disease in themselves, so that's good," said LePine.

And with his health check out of the way, Schmitz said he's raring to go.

"I passed with flying colors, so I'm real pleased," he said.

"I've been hunting for 60 years," laughed Schmitz. "We don't kill very much, but it's fun."

Hunters may get their weapons checked before they head to the woods by going to the sight-in program at the Dane County Law Enforcement Training Center in Waunakee. The program runs through Friday. The training center is located on State Road 19, east of County Highway I.