chucker34

I have a similar situation to GMMAT. And if you hunt close to bedding areas, I think its a must to get there that early. I have also found a sound tactic to seeing deer during the gun season is to get to stand many hours ahead of time near a sancutary and/or bedding area with my bow and let all the gun hunters push them to these spots. They generally slow down when they get there and hence you may get a lot of opportunities at deer that aren't running during gun season.

GMMAT

Timely response from the NCWRC:

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Jeff, there are a few game lands and a few Federal Refuges that do have a specific time that you cannot enter. However, on private lands and most game lands it is legal to go get in your stand and wait for legal shooting hours. This is fairly common practice.

SaskBushMan

When ever I wake up.

JeramyK

I like to be sitting in my stand 1 hour before first light. I'll relax in my climber and listen to my MP3 player for a little while.

kkleist

30 min before daylight.

GregH

Where I hunt, your bow must be cased until 30 minutes before sun up and 30 minutes after sun down.

I usually get there 15 minutes early. Don't disperse as much scent that way.

OGW

Interesting but do your regulations state what kind of case?
I know I've taken my Bow into my standsites well over 90mins. before shooting light in a soft case simply to protect it better on the way in.
I just tie the pull rope to the handles when I get there. I make sure it's well sprayed with scent-away and on occassion I've used the case as a seat cushion!
I get there early especially when hunting public land and use the other later arriving hunters to push deer towards me when they enter the woods!

zubba

I typically in place about 30 minutes prior to first light. This gives me enough time to let things settle down and maybe catch a snooze before I can see things.

GregH

Just a soft case as you described is all that is required. I believe it has to be fully closed as well. You know, no open ended, sheet cases with a rock sewn in the other end for quick removal for the quick draw types![:-]

GMMAT

Interesting, Greg.

Where I hunt, though.....I've noticed the deer "stage"....before heading into their bedding area. If I get there too late.....I alert them to my presence (bump them). I've been in there early and heard (and seen) them coming by. I guess my "logic" is....I'd rather be in there than bump them out. At least my way.....I stand a "chance" that I'll be undetected.....and I might just catch one of them coming home late, one morning.

Trial and error.....to get to where I am (current approach). IF I could approach them from another route (THAT is where I'd be leaving too much scent)....I would. I can't. I'll probably only hunt my best morning location once a week. Other times....I'll be there like you guys.....1/2 to 1 hour beofre shooting light.

I'm more interested in the "why's"....than the "how's". Good stuff in here.