I try and get into the tree as early as I can, usually 1 - 1 1/2 hrs before light, reason being I have had deer follow my trail in sniffing the ground, even with rubber knee highs on and scent blockers and cover scents before. They may or may not have know what they were tracking but they came right to the stand and tree! And some of the areas I have hunted I have snuck right into their bedrooms and set up. To me each situation and set up is different but if I'm hunting I'm hunting and a extra hour in stand is worth it to bust a big buck, just my two cents worth.