RE: How early is early?
I look at the lunar tables and avoid going to the stand at the peak. Instead, I'll got an hour before peak or an hour after. Then for the midday mill, I am in my stand by 11:00 AM unless it is the lunar peak. If it is, then I go 30 minutes before. For the evening hunt (once again taking the peak into consideration), I go to the stand 2 hours before sunset. But the best thing for you to do is find a system that works for you. You'll never get to or from your stand every time without getting busted once in a while.