Entering the woods-what time

[Nuts]

I am an early guy. Typically want to be settled in 1 hr before light. When we were in Maine we were not allowed to enter the woods till light. For me I am not hunting remote. Its farmland. Especially during the rut I want to be in the stand while the deer are still in the fields. I get near bedding and set up waiting for there return. How about you guys? I am also an all day sitter. Always.

 

[Greybeard]

I used to be a before light guy but it seemed I was always bumping deer that I should have been able to see if it were light. I realized that going in before light give the deer all the advantage. They can see me but I can't see them.
Now, I slowly stalk my way to my stand at first light. I can get in much quieter and possibly sneak up on deer that before I never would have even seen.

 

[recon6036]

I try to be settled in at least 30 minutes before first light while whitetail deer hunting.

 

[fulldraw]

We can legally shoot one half hour before sunrise so I always try to get in my stand one hour before sunrise. This gives me time to get settled in and get ready for a big boy! It has worked for me for years so I see no reason to change.

 

[Nick87]

I like early however there are times when I feel like going later is better not the from but I have done it in a few instances where it has worked out. I like to sit all day too. Especially from late October through mid December after that I usually dont hunt mornings too often.

 

[Rack Daniels]

I try to get up in the stand with AT LEAST 30 min before shooting light. I pack a climber in and out every time, so putting my little spinny bow/pack holding thingamajigs in and getting really settled takes a bit when trying to be quiet.. I’ve never actually done an ALL DAY sit in a tree and not sure that I could. I don’t use fall arrest systems I’d rather tuck and roll- call me crazy but I’m still young enough… I’d want to nap after a meal and no action and that parts too sketchy. Climb down and nap? Might as well pack ‘er up and come back for the evening sit…

 

[Nick87]

I’d rather tuck and roll- call me crazy but I’m still young enough… I

Most would say dumb, not crazy.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Most would say dumb, not crazy.

Til you lose a leg or worse from lack of circulation… I’ll take my chances.

Stupid extra straps and crap just more noise and more things that could literally MAKE you fall. I don’t need a harness to peak over a cliff edge.. part of the adventure. Adventure kills. Pick those chances wisely, I guess

 

[Nick87]

Til you lose a leg or worse from lack of circulation… I’ll take my chances.

I think you may of already had a few falls.

 

[Rack Daniels]

I’ll let you think you won this one partner…..

 

[F250]

Depends on the situation. Generally I like being all settled in at least 30 minutes before legal shooting time. This past season I had to walk along a clover field for about 1/2 mile to get stand overlooking a marsh . I waited until legal light and killed an 8 point buck before I got to the stand.

 

[WildWill]

It can definitely be situational. I would typically say i like to be sitting 30 minutes before shooting light. A hour is just to long I get bored staring at the dark quick. Much more likely to walk in in the light with a gun in my hand bow not so much.

 

[TN2shot07]

Depends…

If I’m going somewhere I’m familiar with, zero hesitation with going in an hour or so before sunrise. Once it gets to later season morning hunts are rare anyway, especially if I have to walk through a field.

I’ve taken a couple working my way in at gray light and man it’s easier/quieter to hang a stand not in the pitch black.

 

[DFS]

Situational is the correct answer.

 

[targetpanic]

Archery season I try to be in a pre-hung stand 15 minutes before legal. Gun season I start walking in at 1st light

 

[SaskHunter]

Back when I hunted out east, I'd be going in a good half-hour before legal shooting time. I've bumped plenty of game that way but also shot plenty of game right at first legal light too...

Nowadays, I walk in as soon as it's bright enough to see. I've shot plenty of game to/from a stand. Can't shoot what you can't see or legally shoot, but you can sure as heck bump them...

 

[Steiny77]

For morning hunts I want to be settled in my stand and ready at least 15 minutes before pink light.
Having said that .... any time you can get out there is better than not being out there. If I have something to do in the morning, I'll go out late morning or mid-day and have had great success during the middle of the day when the majority of hunters are back home or in camp having lunch.

Deer don't have a set schedule like people. They get up and move when they want to move and during the rut all bets are off.

 

[BobT1105]

I’m a go in early guy in most cases. I hunt a lot of public land for whitetails but hunt the same areas year after year so most of them I can walk in without a light. Sometimes being in my spot at first light results in other hunters pushing deer right into my crosshairs. This year, I tagged out on opening morning but I knew that there were a couple more good bucks in the area so I told a young friend that he should hunt my stand. A couple days later I got a picture of a really nice buck sneaking past my stand probably 15 minutes after legal shooting light, the next picture was of the young man walking into my stand. Had he been in there an hour earlier he could’ve had an opportunity at that buck.

Going in before first light can have some negative consequences also, the worst thing that has happened to me was actually pretty funny after the fact. I was hunting late season on a piece of private and I knew from trail cameras that the bucks were coming through right at first light. I parked around a half mile away and snuck into my spot. I had placed a hang on up on a steep hillside right at ground level for a nice comfortable seat. Unbeknownst to me, the landowners big tomcat had followed me in. The predawn darkness was pitch black, it was still and overcast, no moonlight or stars shining and the leaves were damp and quiet. I’m sitting there, with my pistol, completely relaxed pondering the meaning of life. There was a log laying on the hillside next to my stand and the cat had apparently decided that I needed to scratch his ears. He walked up the log and the next thing I knew, landed perfectly in my lap and hung on. I’m sure glad I don’t have a weak heart!

 

[Mudranger1]

I try to get up in the stand with AT LEAST 30 min before shooting light. I pack a climber in and out every time, so putting my little spinny bow/pack holding thingamajigs in and getting really settled takes a bit when trying to be quiet.. I’ve never actually done an ALL DAY sit in a tree and not sure that I could. I don’t use fall arrest systems I’d rather tuck and roll- call me crazy but I’m still young enough… I’d want to nap after a meal and no action and that parts too sketchy. Climb down and nap? Might as well pack ‘er up and come back for the evening sit…

I'm sure this will fall on def ears ...but as someone who some how managed to survive a 20+ foot fall out of climber please change your mind.

 

[Nick87]

I'm sure this will fall on def ears ...but as someone who some how managed to survive a 20+ foot fall out of climber please change your mind.

Nah, tuck and roll bro.