No, you are not the only one. When it happened to me it occurred because my flashlight gave out on the way to the stand. I was not that familiar with the area so it was a big crap shoot in terms of which direction to go in. After wondering for about 10-15 minutes I remembered my little keychain light and eventually found the spot.

It was not a fun experience though.

I'll admit to it.

My sense of direction is not all that great. One morning I got off the trail and all turned around and spooked
about 5 deer tromping around until I found a ditch that I knew led close to the stand. By the time I got
there I was drenched in sweat b/c I was bundled up and it was daybreak and of course I didn't see a thing.

GEEZ maybe I should make a post..am I the only one who can find my stand.

I'm generally not one to toot my own horn...but I can find any certaintree, in any woods, having only ever been there once. Didn't know it was a skill..I thought we all kinda had it! Maybe not?

Bingo! Bought a couple and handed some out to others. Everyone thought it was the ticket.

GPS.. slicker than snot on glassand walks me right in like a dog on a leash.
The best part is it allows me to approach my stands from any direction which sure helps when you want the wind in your face..
Used to use bright eyes but on the public land I usually hunt the woods are lit up like a XMass tree so many people have them out there.
If you do use bright eys get yourself some commercialgrade marine buoy marker tape and a box of cheap tacks. I have more green and red bright eyes than I will ever use.
And NO... I have never been unable to find a stand. I just had to return in daylight after a trashed AM hunt. Geez.

Until they fail. Mine has. the reason I bought the "beacon". It will also take you right to it in the dark without having to keep checking the gps. As soon as you get close enough, the gps has done it's job. There only good for getting you within so many yards anyways. When it's dark, foggy and unfamilar, "The Beacon Shines"

The only thing i don't like about them is there run time. Ya can't just leave them on for weeks. By on I mean ready to flash. Haven't pushed it but the directions give you 4 days on a set of batteries.

I didn't read the other post... but as far as I'm concerned you're the only fool. LOL I'm with Gr8r. When I hang a stand or pick a tree I take into consideration all the stuff like wind etc, but I also plan my entrance and exit. As I leave I make mental notes and look back where I just was. I note openings in the canopy, ditches, stumps, crooked trees that would be skylines etc. At each check point I talk myself through what the others were back to the tree. If it's a long walk I find and edge or creek, ditch or something to get me most of the way there. I rarely use a light or tacs or anything to mark my trail for others to follow. If there is a turn I need to make an nothing is there I'llplace a log or large limb or something to point me the way. I really usually just stroll to the tree and climb up.

you sure someone didnt steal it??

Reflective tape, thats all I'm gonna say because in 97' I walked around behind my mumma's for a good 1.5 hours looking for my stand and she only owns 3 acres. I felt like a dumb@$$.lol[&:]

I can't be sure until I go back with daylight but I highly doubt it. It's private land that has had no problems in the past. Finding the stand in the daylight took a little getting used to because there really are no good landmarks--all the trees are the same age (must have been clear cut at some point in the past) and the land is totally flat and non-descript.

And for the record, I normally have a very good sense of direction. Driving, wandering around during the day, etc. Very good sense of direction. Except this morning. Ugh.