Why don't you just build a nice tree-house in that tree. You could attach a winch and have a butcher table up there and a bunch of zip lock freezer bags. Then Whack'em winch'em and cinch'em.

You could stay right up there through the season. This would save you getting up early or drudging out in the dark! A nice air mattress will suffice when the lovely lady wants to visit for some relations. And, what the heck, you'll have the camcorder out there with ya too so might make for some nice utube footage.