find someone you know that coon hunts with dogs.....tag along....got me over any fears of the dark....i was running hounds with dad when i was 6 or 7yrs old...not bragging or anything but i was...and i never been afraid of the dark...being out there for hours on end in the dark you learn theres nothing going to get you...worst fear is spiders....and youll see me carrying a stick swatting aimlessly infront of me when they are bad in the summer months....something i got from coon hunting...nothing like standing there and having a spider run down your shirt!!!! dont feel liek a sissy or anyhting....your one of mannnnnnny hunters that wont go in the woods in the dark....i see them every year waiting in the fields and big trails for the sun to go in the woods....first light is what its all about....im there an hour before when im deer hunting if i can be....usually have deer puttsing around infront of me at first light...nothin like hearing deer for half an hour looking and looking trying to get a peak...then waiting for enough light to shoot...legal light here its still rather dark believe it or not...but really....just practice getting to your stand in the dark....woods look ALOT diffrent in the dark....i go in with no light...i practice my trail many times before i hunt...and learn it....and dont use a light till im looking for my tree if i need it...usually the first morning i do.....but you know theres nothing going to get you...a small light will help you out and give you comfort...and pointed at the ground your not going to spook much....just try not to be like alot of guys shining way ahead of you.....and dont carry a huge spotlight or anything....its not needed imo.....good luck....oh ya...welcome to the boards!!