Va.. ya I believe they stage or wait until dark.. absolutely.

But where I have always seen "staging areas" is not how its written in the books or mags.

Most staging areas I've seen are either within just a few yards of a bucks bedroom or 100 yards or more from any kind of destination food source. The key is always been close proximity to heavy cover.. which most acorn flats are not near.

Now.. I'm not sayin' bucks don't come out to eat acorns just before dark.. But I just believe its more of a destination food source and not a staging area.