Walking in to the stand

[shirtshirt]

I go in early with as little light as possible.

I debate walking slowly vs. more quickly. Slowly = less noise, quickly = less time that noise/disturbance is present. I've done both and neither seem to have a significant effect on whether I see deer. I feel like wind and luck play a more important role than anything else.

 

[Madbowh]

I'm normally in my tree when it's still dark. I don't normally bust em up walking in has happened but not often. I think bigger mature deer may not come back right away. If your scouting good you be on there path when they are around on daylight not dark.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Zeiss contact lenses?

I almost made reference to that. Actually, both times I was on the ground were quite nerve wracking. They were a few steps away and slowly walking straight at me. One of them was walking stiff-legged and I shined my light on him and then he took off - that one I had my gun at the ready. Him and a doe were bedded and I got to within 15 yards of them and the doe took off. I assume he thought I was another buck. For the others, their racks were seen by moonlight.

 

[BSK]

Going in in the morning and out in the evening in the dark, I move fast. Coming out in the morning and going in in the afternoon during daylight I move slow and still-hunt my way in/out.

 

[Jcalder]

I wanna be ready before shooting light. Other than the creek crossing I've gotten to where I rarely use a light.

 

[tree_ghost]

If I'm going to a spot I am familiar with then 30 minutes before I can see to shoot my bow I'm up. If it's a new location I have no history with then I go to a predetermined point I've picked on the map and then wait for gray light to decide where to climb.

 

[cbhunter]

I do a little of both. I usually start the season getting in 30-40 minutes before LEGAL shooting light. If I am bumping deer on a normal basis, I start still hunting my way in as it's just light enough to see

 

[Mr.Bro]

I enjoy that 30 minutes before shooting time. Time to cool down, give thanks and watch the world come to light. Yeah i get in plenty early.

 

[themanpcl]

I like to be in the stand 30 mins before shooting light

 

[tree_ghost]

I enjoy that 30 minutes before shooting time. Time to cool down, give thanks and watch the world come to light. Yeah i get in plenty early.

Some of my best prayer sessions have happened 20' up a tree…really cool!

 

[Patrick H]

I go in in the dark and don't worry too much about bumping deer.

when I go to a stand in the daylight I try to hunt my way in. But the truth is usually the mature does and bucks see me before I see them.

 

[Pilchard]

I make sure to be where I want to hunt with the safety off 3-5 minutes before legal shooting time.

 

[redblood]

depends on the farm. In cropland with a gun, definitely want to be able to see well enough to shoot

 

[Spurhunter]

I like to be ready to hunt 15-20 minutes before I can see. Get comfortable, let everything calm down, etc. It's so thick where I hunt if I wait til after daylight I will spook the deer before I see them anyway.

 

[Shanman]

I try to be up the tree 1hr before daylight, has payed off so many times through the years. First I want to take my time and not get hot, once in the tree I have time to cool off and get situated. Secondly, if I bump something I can stop and have time to wait for it to move on before I proceed forward. Third, I want to ease in and not make a noise if at all possible.
I hate being in a hurry and late, makes me almost panicky, kind of a buzz kill. I've walked in blind and bumped deer off of good oaks in the dark, with the extra time before daylight a lot of those deer come back, with the exception of a good mass year. I believe they think you've had time to move on through and are not there anymore. If on a good buck I'll head in 2hrs before daylight, long walks might require more time. In the evenings I always hunt my way in.

 

[cbhunter]

I make sure to be where I want to hunt with the safety off 3-5 minutes before legal shooting time.

as long as you did the speed limit on the way there, thats all that matters!

 

[eightpointer]

I guess I'm more like Bowriter was. I like to go in when I can shoot. I always have worried about bumping deer when getting in so I like to be able to shoot if possible. Thats just me.

 

[Hduke86]

I will get to the woods probably an hour to hour and half before shooting light to start my walk. I never use a flashlight and after about getting my dang eye poked out I wear clear safety glasses on the way in while it's dark. I let the weather pretty much dictate how fast or slow I move. Wet leaves and wind I can pretty much run to the stand. Dead calm and dry leaves I try to move a little at a time. If periodic wind I'll move when the leaves rustle in the wind. I know I'll have to use the bathroom also so I give myself time for that cause I know it's going to happen. It's crazy how close you can get to deer keeping trees between you and them with the wind right and you move slow in the dark.

 

[akachuck]

I get in around sunset. @13pt said it was ok to do so

 

[double browtine]

I like to get in the stand at least 30 minutes before shooting time on private land. If you want to be more stealth on private land when walking in the woods, take a battery powered leaf blower a couple weeks before the season and clear yourself a path. A gas one works if that is all you have. It works really good especially if you set up close to a bedding area.