Well there are all kinds of schools of thought on this subect, but there are some FACTS that you can use to help.

1. If you go in too early, you will be leaving a lot of unnecessary scent.

Fact: That could be true, but using proper descenting you should not be able to leave that much scent in the cool morning air. ALSO, If you go in early enough, the scent you are leaving on the ground will have time to dissipate ( smell older ) to a deer than scent left 5 minutes before he comes down the trail you just walked in on, because you slept in.


2. If you are "seeing" and hearing deer under your stand 2 hours before 1st light, then at shooting light you should have been 2 hours of deer travel time deeper into the woods.

Fact: And where is that exactly? I have seen deer walk in to an area and stay there for 2 hours. If that was the case, and they were staying right under or around his stand, then he would need to get in there2 hours early. Also, who is to say that 2 hours of " deer travel time " further into those woods would still be on his property? He needs to scout and watch the deer movement and get to a location, at an decent time, that affords him the best opportunity of an unnoticed entry, with an amout of dead time to allow for scent dispersal, set up, and settle down time before the deer show up, which would be fine at about 30 minutes typically, but longer if the deer are there. It does no good to let them know where you are and scare them off.

3. You should stalk your way in at 1st light.

FACT:I'm not sure why? You are then leaving your scent line on the ground during daylight hours, when you know the deer are moving. They can see you climb your tree, and you completely lose any element of suprise. Now could you get in unnoticed and to your tree and in your stand, settled in , calm, not sweating, and ready that way? Yes, but I bet a dollar you could do it better and easier, while your scent would be minimized, an hour before 1 st light.

4. You should stay in bed longer so that you don't wake the house, and so you will be fresher on the stand.

Fact: I get up to go to work at 3:15 in the morning, and no one wakes up then, why would they wake up on a dayI gohunting? And why would I be any less aware on my stand ? I really do not understand the conclusions drawn with those type of statements. They don't mean anything and they have no real basis. People may be fine getting up that early, and if thats what he wants to so, why challenge him on it.


The facts are, you do your homework, scout , watch , and prepare. Then you do what is best for you in your area, to give you the best opportunity for success. And in the end, win or lose, if you are happy with your efforts then that is all that matters. What works for some people does not always work for others, and vice versa. Suit yourself.