Hunting season is no time for your equipment to fail. Even as you sight in your scooped rifle before the opener, your deer feeder should be well checked before and during the season.

A feeder with a motor and timer battles all of the elements and delivers the goods on time - rain or shine. If a feeder is not delivering routinely, the deer will soon change their habits and bypass the feeder altogether.

Just like your vehicle, a feeder should be kept on a regular maintenance schedule and each visit to the lease should include a quick inspection.

• Take tools including screwdrivers, allen wrenches, pliers, electrician's tape, a length of insulated, 18-gauge wire and a voltmeter or multimeter to check the batteries and solar chargers.
  
  
• Take a charged, spare battery in case one in the feeder has died.
  
  
• Inspect the ground under the feeder. If the feeder is functioning properly, deer are visiting regularly and there will be fresh tracks and droppings.
  
  
• Make sure the slinger is securely tightened on the motor shaft.
  
  
• Spin the slinger by hand to make sure the motor moves smoothly and corn drops freely.
  
  
• Check battery connections. Make sure they are clean and erosion-free. Use a silicon spray to prevent corrosion.
  
  
• Test battery under load with a voltmeter. A sudden drop in voltage indicates the battery needs charging or is bad. Charge battery, if it is rechargeable, and test again before buying a new one.
  
  
• Trip the timer to make sure the battery is spinning the motor properly. Don't forget to protect your eyes from the flying corn.
  
  
• Check the time on the clock, settings and duration of feeding.
  
  
• Test the solar charger, if the feeder is so equipped. Disconnect the charger from the battery and connect it to a voltmeter. It works if the voltage is equal to or greater than it's rating.
  
  
• Inspect wires for frayed insulation, especially if any are outside the timer/motor box and may be damaged by animals.
  
  
• Check the lid on the barrel to make sure the corn is staying dry.

If you have a problem with your feeder or timer, call the manufacturer to seek advice or see if the company can repair it. Note that these companies will be swamped during hunting season.

To prepare your feeders in time for the season - preferably late summer - do the following:

• While most motors have sealed bearings, some have sleeve bearings and need a drop or two of 3-in-1 Oil or any 20-weight, light motor oil.
  
  
• Open the timer/motor box and inspect the seals on the door, if there are any. Inspect for holes where bugs, dust or water may enter and fill with silicon caulk.
  
  
• Brush out the box thoroughly.
  
  
• Put a mechanical, quartz clock in an airtight container to keep out bugs and dust; poke a hole in the container for wires and then caulk the hole.
  
  
• Open the casing on digital clocks and inspect the printed circuit board for dust and bugs. Dust with a soft brush if needed. Do not use water.
  
  
• Put ant poison in the timer/motor box.
  
  
• Just before the season opens, recharge the battery if you do not have a solar charger. If the battery is not rechargeable, replace it.