How long before sun up?
 

Ok, for all you morning hunters out there. How early do get in your stands. I prefer about an hour before light, it gives me time to set up and move around and fart and all that good stuff.
So what does every one prefre here?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

depends on how far the stand iam hunting is in the woods could be1 /12- 2 hours before day light ;)

RE: How long before sun up?
 

If sunrise is at 6:30AM and legally we can hunt starting at 6AM, I get secured into my stand and ready and quiet by 5:30AM to 5:45AM. I like a good 15-30 minutes quiet to 'listen' to the woods, gather myself and relax. I'm fortunate that where I park my truck on a dirt road I have only a 2 minute hike to my stand. But, there are times I cannot sleep and just get out of bed earlier than usual and get to my stand an hour before legal hunting hours. Next to hunting, I simply enjoy the time outdoors and in nature.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

30 minutes is MORE than enough. I have on occasion intentionally waited until it was the grey of dawn before slipping in, simply because of the situation. Every stand is different. But really, if you slip in quietly, climb, sit down and sit still, 15 or 20 minutes is enough. 1 1/2-2 hours does NOTHING to increase your odds really. In fact, you're half worn out from sitting before you can even see to shoot. It'll probably make you antsyier when you should be sitting still and getting in the hunt mode. 30 minutes the deer are far enough away from your stand to not see or hear you go in if you plan it right and don't arrive with flashing lights and banging and clattering. Why beat yourself up when you can't shoot before light anyway.
You really need more than one spot.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I agree EXACTLY with everything David said above! [:-]:D

RE: How long before sun up?
 

Hee hee. I am an early bird on the first day since I hunt heavily pressured public land. First day opening morning hunting time is usually around 6:30 am. I am easily in the woods by 3:30-3:45. After I get a handle on when and where others are hunting I will typically be there about an hour before first light. It takes me a good 20 minutes to walk into the stand and then another 20 to get up the tree and all set up.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

It depends on the spot. Usually I like to get there around 45 min before sun up. But on one spot, i'll get there a couple hours before sun up. Just depends on the spot, and situation that is presented.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I can usually see to shoot by the time I get all settled in..........

I'm with David, sitting the dark is just silly and not needed in MOST instances.....

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I'm usually in my stand and setup an hour before twilight. Gives me time to take a nap before it starts getting light out. :)

After reading fieldmouse's reply I concur. I love to watch the woods awaken in the morning. I have had squirrels and birds within an arms reach of me. There's just something magical about watching everything and the animals don't know you are there. One time I actually got scared because a racoon started climbing up the same tree I was in. I had to make some noise to scare him. I didn't want to find out how that introduction would have turned out!

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I'm usually in about a 1/2 hour before first light....which btw is different than sunrise.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I'm in my stand at least hour ahead of legal shooting hours. I've have sometimes stayed in my stand hours after legal shooting hours. I love to listen to the sounds of the animals in the woods. It's music to my ears.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

By 5am,Take a nap and rest up

RE: How long before sun up?
 

It depends on what stand I am hunting from.In the oal flats I like to wait until I can see a little before entering.I make sure I have beaten the deer there first.A couple of the others I like to be there anywhere froma hour to half hour before first light.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

Usually about 20-30 minutes. If I get there earlier than that I will tighten the
old saftey belt and catch a little nap before sun up. It doesn't last long when I
start to hear animals moving around. I go on red alert even though I can't see
a thing. Just instinct I guess.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

yeah id say i get in there at about 30-45 min before sunrise..

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I would say on average of 1/2 hour before legal shooting time. BUT, it depends on the situation. I have a couple of stands that I am in at least 1 1/2 hours early, sometimes more, and some stands I don't dare approach until AFTER sunrise.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I'm usually settled in about 15-20 before first light, sometimes sooner. It depends on which place I go to. I usually hunt about 35 miles away and the wind can be a little different so if I decide on a different stand than my original intentions, sometimes I'm up there a little early and sometimes a little later. If I'm up there earlier, I'll just take a quick cat nap.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

Last year I waited I set out to my stand just as it was light enough to walk. I was, and still am, scared of the woods. I am working on it. I hope to be able to settle in my stand half an hour before it gets light out. I love driving in the dark on the way to my spot, and I love watching the woods wake up. I just hate walking alone in the dark.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I try to get in 1/2 hour before legal shooting. Ironicly It seems like I see more deer on the days I am running late and get it when it is already light out. Who knows! Just enjoy the time you are in your stand!

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I agree on both counts. Also, I want to believe that this is early enough because logistically it is very difficult to get to my stand before that anyway. That is, the check station opens at 5:00am; if I am there then, which I usually am, it still takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get to my stand and get set up. Iwouldprobably notsit in my stand formore than 1/2hour before first light anyway, since it is only legal to shoot from 1/2 hour before sunrise. I guess that, theoretically it might make a difference to sit there longer to give deer a chance to wander in and be in position to shoot when shooting time came, but it has never been an option for me.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I try to be in the stand about 1/2 hour before the first light of the day.


It seems to take me about 15 minutes to get cooled down from walking in, and so I still have time to put my outer layers on after cooling down, and while it is still dark.

Then while I sit for the final 15 minutes or so before light, I am able to "get in touch" with nature, as it allows me to better concentrate.

THe only time I don't do this, is when I am hunting from a climber or hunting a stand that is very difficult to get to. Then I just wait for first light, and begin my entry into the woods. (I feel safer using a climber when there is light)

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I always wait until it's light enough for me to see before I leave. I use a climber so I need to be able to see so that the set up goes smoother.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

Between 30 and 20 minutes

RE: How long before sun up?
 

I'm a firm believer in being on my Lone Wolf no less than an hour before first light.Hence the username. It takes about a half hour to get to my stand so I allow plenty of time for the woods to settle down. Also moving in the dark helps not getting busted because a deer may hear you but wont nesseserily see you.

RE: How long before sun up?
 

30 minutes before shooting time, or one hour before sunrise.