RE: How long?
While i don't use a stand to often usaully use a ground blind(natural) or stalk.I spend as much time as i can out in the field.the more ya are out the more ya learn -n- the more ya see.....heck I've spent 1 hour or longer on a 80 yard stalk.....just depends on what the deer are doing....also have had deer walk right up to my set up 20 minutes into the hunt......so it all depends.
If god didn't want us to eat animals....Why did he make them outa meat?