I have a similar situation to GMMAT. And if you hunt close to bedding areas, I think its a must to get there that early. I have also found a sound tactic to seeing deer during the gun season is to get to stand many hours ahead of time near a sancutary and/or bedding area with my bow and let all the gun hunters push them to these spots. They generally slow down when they get there and hence you may get a lot of opportunities at deer that aren't running during gun season.