I couldn't get in my stand till after 4:00 today, so I didn't go. I like to be in my stand AT LEAST 2 hours before dark I prefer 3 hours. I figure that deer dilly-dally alot and they can hear for a ways off, so I don't take any chances spooking them out of the area. Remember, if they even hear something alittle different, they just won't walk in that direction. At least not where I hunt (public-land).