ive gotten over my fears for the most part. had a coon practically run over my foot walking to my stand yesterday morning but the moon was really bright so i saw him running around.

the worst part of walking through the woods in the dark is spooking grouse and turkeys for me atleast. i jump about ten feet in the air every single time

Why don't you purchase one of the tree stand lights. You place it on the tree, and use a remote control (like for cars) to turn the light on. Put it near your stand, and when you need to turn it on. It will give you something to focus on, and a clear direction. You shouldn't feel so lost or frightened if you know where you are to go.

The first time I steped to close to a grouse in the dark I thought the devil was after me. Now I laugh at the thought.

I could have typed that post, Charles! LOL

My boyfriend laughs at me and doesn't quite understand, but I NEVER walked around the woods in the dark before, and he was raised following his dad around the woods at all hours... so I guess it just comes with time. We have a couple different stands and I will only walk to one of them by myself. All of the times I have hunted in the mornings, my bf sat with, the only other time he walked me out to my stand. I don't mind going out through the day, but I usually get down about 10 minutes before shooting time is up so I am not walking in the complete darkness back to the truck.

I think i will get over it with time to, I think all it takes is doing it once or twice, FORCING yourself to do it, then I think the fear will subside for the most part... I haven't gotten to that point yet, been close, but not yet... I will get there, as will you.

Do Not Fear The Night, Fear What Hunts At Night...........


I do not use a flashlight at all when walking to the stand. No need to worry. And I get in the stand about an hour before first light just to make sure I can get all of my noises out before daylight. If you walk to your stand during the day, you will disturb your hunting area more than you would if you were to at night. Just my two cents.

im gonna try to get me a cordless spotlight with a red lens for it sometime before season ends. There's a big o 12 point that's been seen by my neighbor on both sides of the road and not gettin out before light is prolly keeping him away, if he hasnt already gone nocturnal. there's a "circle" that the deer use frequently and my stand and corn pile is set up on that circle, so hopefully i'll be able to get out there and get him.

has anybody tried spending the night on a stand? I heard of a guy that was handicapped and had a stand built out of a car cab or something like that and would take blankets, food, water, etc. and stay the night in his stand for several nights so his family wouldnt have to come and get him and take him back out the next morning. Has anyone tried this before? Probably not with a climbing stand, but with a tower stand?

I've never spent the night, but I don't think it would bother me... once I am IN my stand, I have no fear, I am very relaxed actually!

I don't know of anyone that spends the night in their stand, although I know many who get out there really early in the morning and then take a little nap before shooting time, my BF did that once and fell right outta the tree!! Sheesh! (yes he had a harness on)

i think you might be better off not even using a light

Sissies !
I never use a flashlight , and I've got the scars to prove it !

This might help a little. It may be the unfamiliar surroundings. Walk the trails to your stand in the daylight over and over. Memorize as many trees and land marks as possible. Now when you travel in the dark the surroundings will seem more familiar.

Well you've heard some decent advice and taken a little ribbing. Took a lot to even post this. Striper hits a good point. Walking to your stand 1 1/2 hours before light shouldn't be any different than walking to the bathroom at night in the dark. If you know the property, which you darn well better, you should know every step of the path just like going to the bathroom at 2 AM. Things will happen, Turkey, Grouse, Coons, and the worst for me Coyote. Had a coyote encounter during Spring Gobbler a couple seasons ago; Don't think I didn't jump out of my skin, Still swear I felt his/her breath on my back and I know I heard the growl. I never fired a shot but me jumping 10 foot in the air while still in the sitting position seemed to scare off the Yote'.

get to know the land even put some flagging tape along the trail so you know you are on it.

And if you have to, hunt the afternoon. Nothing wrong with getting in the stand 3 1/2 hours before dark and staying there. Stay there until the sun has set for at least 30 minutes you'd be suprised what you see. I got caught in a tree one night until 2 1/2 hours past sunset because there was a nice buck within Bow Range and I didn't want to run him off. Never got that deer but what a memory i carry. Plus when you get out at night you can always unchamber and walk real fast back to the vehicle.
PS Don't use a flashlight, Use the FORCE young skywalker Oh, and don't think about Blair Witch