What time and why?

[tom_guy]

What time does everyone get to the stand on opening morning? I have had some people tell me they dont go out until after sunrise and some people head out 2 hours before. Me I head out a half hour before legal shotting times.

[Dahitman44]

I usually get in there about 5 am -- I like to be in there early and get all set up. I feel that I will not disturb the deer as much, but I have "ran" into a couple of deer in the past, however.

[BLACKJACK]

My goal is to be at my stand one hour before sunrise, that gives me 1/2 hour to settle in before legal shooting light and gives the woods 1/2 hour to calm down from my noisy walk in.

[hhguide]

I agree with Black jack an hour before you can shoot. Plus other hunters can only help to push deer into your area if they come in later and if your in your stand and quiet I feel it always helps. I try to get in before my neighbors

[96trigger]

I'm up there half hour before sunrise. I have kicked deer out in the past, but who knows how long they had been there. I'm not one to sit in a stand in the dark for an extended period of time.

[jbell1981]

For me it really depends on which spot I am hunting.

There are a couple spots that I get to an hour before shooting time because when other people come in (from a different direction on private land)I will be in position for any deer that get pushed towards me.

There are other spots that I will wait until shooting time or just before because there may be deer in those that I want to get a jump shot at or push them towards other people in my party.

This is in farm country, where deer generally follow lake shores, fence lines and other obvious land marks and the "woods" are small tracts of 5-10 acres or less.

[mrklean]

myself about 30-45 min before just so its nice and black out still and by the time im settled im ready to kill things

[SSSTaxidermy]

I'm at least an hour before legal shooting. It's always worked well for me. I feel if I've spoked deer, this gives game time to simmer down and go about normal business.

[tedl]

about 30 min before and it feels like 3 hours!!

[JustLOVEit]

I usually get out there an hour a head of sunrise. To set up, get all my scent cleared, get in before the deers start moving back into the woods, and to have an hour of peace and quiet.

Sometime even a little nap before shooting hours.. =P

[BobT]

I don't like to walk in in total darkness. I'd rather walk in while I can see a deer I might encounter along the way. It is also noteworthy that I have never taken a deer while walking to my stand in the morning.

Just my preference though.

Bob

[BigWadeS]

my preference is to get there about 1hr before shooting time or a little bit before so I can put fresh wicks out and also get settled and organized, it's amazing how big and loud a red squirrel or mouse can be at 6:15

[bassman2012]

i try to be in my stand an hour - 45 mins before legal shooting hours.

[Neighbor_guy]

My goal is to be at my stand one hour before sunrise, that gives me 1/2 hour to settle in before legal shooting light and gives the woods 1/2 hour to calm down from my noisy walk in.

That is a good rule between an hour and an hour and a half before sun up is a good one for me.

[Bear55]

I like to get to my stand about 1 hour before first shooting light. I like to let the woods settle down a little and I like to have other hunters push me deer on their way in.

[kingr]

I'm usually in my stand at 6:30. That 1/2 seems like FOREVER!!!

[KG243]

I am usually in my stand an hour and half before shooting time, and the reason why is because I hunt public land so the early bird gets the worm! Plus I am there when all those guys come stomping through the woods after sunrise to intercept deer!

[paceman]

I like to be in my stand 30-45 minutes before shotting time.....

[Coach1310]

I hunt public land so early enough to where it is totally dark and with a flashlight on or if I'm running late, I wait until there is no mistaking the guy in the blaze orange for a deer.

[CNCMike]

At least 1 hour before legal shooting time for me. I really like being able to get in, get settled in and let things calm down. Besides, the wildlife you see in that time before shooting light is sometimes incredibly cool. In my old stand I saw a big timber wolf every morning on the swamp edge and for 4 years straight I saw a black bear cruise by. All about 30 minutes before legal time.

[vister]

leave the house at 4:30, settled in by 5 am. nothing wrong with getting there too early. also, the neighbors are out and about later, so they usually spook em my way!

[TrophyEyes]

I am in the stand around 4:30 or 5am. I hunt Public land and want to get the premier spot. Plus I like everyone pushing the deer to me.

[Tipup101]

At least 20 to 30 minutes. So the area can settle down a little.