I like how you think! Been there and done that! Seems like 5 AM comes too soon sometimes!

I try to get into my stand 30 minutes before light, but sometimes I go right at first light. If Im hunting a large ag field sometimes I'll wait until first light and check for deer. I don't want to spook 20 deer off an ag field if I can help it. If you are hunting staging areas or trails to/from bedding areas, the earlier the better. You can't get there too early when you are hunting travel routes. It does get your heart pumping when its pitch black and you can hear the deer moving and you can't see them. Man, you don't know if its a fawn or a 170 class buck sometimes!

The biggest buck I have ever seen was opening day when I was late getting into a new spot right at first light and halfway up my climber, 30 yards away with my gun on the ground I spot a buck on a small ridge that probably went 150 just looking at me, with steam coming out of his nose. One of the most beautiful things Ive seen in the woods but most upsetting. Got my gun in my hands and took off as I went to load my gun. If I hadn't seen 8 other bucks that morning and 40 + does I'd probably still be upset but nailed my biggest buck of my life later that day.