sittin in the dark


countryboy89

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Just depends on what I'm after. If I've seen a good buck, or got good cam pics I get there early, but I usually wait till decent morning light to see getting to my stand without making a lot of noise stumbling in the dark. I've missed waaaay more opportunities on good bucks by coming out to early rather than jumping deer by not getting to the stand early enough. Basically I'd rather get in the stand later and hunt later if I had to choose.

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I'm usually running late to get in my stand (not because I oversleep or do not have my gear ready, I just can't seem to get there as early as I'd like to), so if I get there 15 minutes before shooting light I feel pretty good.

I lol'd at this. So if its not oversleeping or being ready in time what else could it be? Cuz I bet if you got up earlier you could get in the stand earlier.

:clown: Just kidding buddy.

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The goal is 30 minutes before shooting light. Like everyone else, it depends on several factors:

1. Location of my stand

2. How well I've pattered the deer (if I know what time they are coming past my stand/blind)

3. How far I have to walk to get to where I'm going (far - earlier, close - right at first light)

4. Hunting with others (the earlier the better)

5. Moon phase (new moon - later, full moon - later, quarter moon - earlier)

6. Weather (if its going to stop raining, I try to time my positioning 2 hours before it starts or right after it stops)

7. If I need light to see where I'm going (deep woods)

Rule of thumb, however, is to be there 30 minutes before shooting light.

Edited by Stinger-Hunter
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I like 40 minutes before legal shooting light, any less and i feel like i have a greater opportunity at spooking game

This for me too. If sunrise is at 7:00 and shooting time starts at 6:30 I want to be settled in the stand by 5:45 or 6:00 at the latest. During gun season I get about 30 minutes earlier than that.

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I give myself 30-45 min to get in and get situated. It all depends on if I've got to hook my climber up(public land)...how far the walk is,etc.....so butt in stand ready to go,I want things to settle down for 30-45 minutes...This usually includes my heart rate,which doesn't happen all the time because the last 2 times I've gone I've had deer under me before the sun came up. Opening day I was at the gate of some public land here in SC at 3:30..I was determined to get to MY spot before anyone else...I then decided what the heck,I'll go on in and get in the stand,and catch a little nap...when I woke up,it was perfect timing,BUT my tail was numb,and I felt like I had been hit by a truck...I'll chalk that one up to things I'll never do again.:stretcher:

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Depends on where I'm at and how long of a walk I have. On private ground i like to be in the stand 20-30 minutes prior to the break of dawn. On public ground I like to be in the stand an hour prior to the break of dawn. I'm too concerned that some joker will be out there and shoot me. I figure the jokers will not be out a whole hour prior to first light.

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