I used to go in while it was still dark but now I head in at dawn I got tired of sitting in the dark and hearing deer I couldn't see or legally shoot. If I see a deer on my way in I can shoot it.

Scott Meier
White Oak Lodge

Jimmy S,

Cant have a loaded weapon here in MN before legal shooting hours. 1/2 hour before surise and 1/2 hour after sunset. You can however go to your stand as early as you want. I personally like to leave well before light 1-2 hours, just because I am deep in the bush, 1 mile or so, not quite. That can be a challenge in itself and by the time I get out there and all set up the sunrise is close.

Starrman

Ron Starr

I go in about an hour before sunrise. I take my time and move real slow when going in. I also bring a turkey call with me while entering the woods and if I happen to make to much noise through the brush or stepping on branches I give a couple of clucks with the call. I don't know if this really makes a difference but hey it doesn't hurt any.

Thanks Starrman...Seems to me sitting at a deer stand an hour before legal shooting time with a loaded weapon is questionable at best and possibly unlawful. Why would anyone have their gun loaded when they still have an hour before they can legally shoot?....Don't make sense to me!

Like Benhunting, I'm in Florida. Legal shooting time is 1/2 hour before sunrise. There is no law prohibiting having a loaded weapon before that time. I, myself, load my weapon 15 - 20 minutes before legal shooting time. I get there an hour early and after about 15 minutes I load up. I'm sure not going to wait until legal shooting time and be caught jacking shells in my gun by every deer within earshot. If it was illegal I wouldn't do it, but it's not so I'm loading up a little early.

[Deleted by Admins]

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I use a flashlight with a red lens on it. I feel like I can see better and it doesn't shine so deep into the woods. I like to get in my stand about 30 minutes before sun up. Oh, and my gun is usually loaded (shell in chamber) before I start walking in. I don't want to make any more noise than I have to, and shucking a shell in the silence of night is sure to scare something off.
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Good point, thanks!

I guess it also depends on your nerves!! It can be scary walking in the dark to your stand!! hehe.

This year I've gotten much much better at forcing myself out of bed earlier and getting into my stands with at least 45 minutes till shooting light. I would absolutely conclude that doing this has increased my odds of seeing deer. One morning (openning day actually), I had several doe right under my stand right around the exact time I would have normally been leaving my truck! I do not know for sure if the flashlight has spooked anything off but it doesn't seem like it. I too have use a red lens on mine but honestly, it didn't really make a big difference; at least in my case. The hardest part about getting in your stand that early is the necessity for using a light while you get settled. After that, the 30 or so minute wait until it becomes light enough to shoot is spooky but in a fun way...listening to the sounds of the woods, imagining things, etc.

-Mike

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If you load your gun once you get to your stand before it gets light (as one said, one hour before legal shooting time) ...isn't that against the law? I know I am not alowed to have a loaded gun, a Muzzleloader with the cap in place or a bow with an arrow knocked before legal shooting hours. I am curious to find out if it's legal where you hunt to carry a loaded rifle well before legal shooting begins. I have never heard of this.


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Florida the regulations state Shooting Hours one half
hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
As long as you arnt shining a spot light around you
can have your rifle loaded as soon as you leave your truck.

Well first thing is you really need to be in your stand at least 1/2 hour before legal shooting time, in regards to whether the weapon is loaded or not, in Va. as long as it is not loaded in your vehicle you can load your gun, you can have a loaded gun in the woods at 3 am if you wish, just make sure you do not shoot a deer until 1/2 hour before sunrise or 1/2 hour after sundown. I prefer loading my gun the second I get out of my truck, that way I get settled into my stand a lot quicker and quieter.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club