I guess it also depends on your nerves!! It can be scary walking in the dark to your stand!! hehe.

This year I've gotten much much better at forcing myself out of bed earlier and getting into my stands with at least 45 minutes till shooting light. I would absolutely conclude that doing this has increased my odds of seeing deer. One morning (openning day actually), I had several doe right under my stand right around the exact time I would have normally been leaving my truck! I do not know for sure if the flashlight has spooked anything off but it doesn't seem like it. I too have use a red lens on mine but honestly, it didn't really make a big difference; at least in my case. The hardest part about getting in your stand that early is the necessity for using a light while you get settled. After that, the 30 or so minute wait until it becomes light enough to shoot is spooky but in a fun way...listening to the sounds of the woods, imagining things, etc.

-Mike