Well first thing is you really need to be in your stand at least 1/2 hour before legal shooting time, in regards to whether the weapon is loaded or not, in Va. as long as it is not loaded in your vehicle you can load your gun, you can have a loaded gun in the woods at 3 am if you wish, just make sure you do not shoot a deer until 1/2 hour before sunrise or 1/2 hour after sundown. I prefer loading my gun the second I get out of my truck, that way I get settled into my stand a lot quicker and quieter.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club