I'm almost certain what I'm going to do, but thought I would ask and see what others thought. I belong to a hunting club that leases ground in MO, KS & Iowa. Basically you reserve a farm for up to four days and can add days as you go. I have a tag in Kansas and I haven't been to this farm yet this hunting season. I know that there was corn this summer and I have had tree stands in several different locations on the farm in past years. I have the land reserved for Monday - Thursday next week. I can't camp at the property, so I'm camping in a different area. My question is should I hang my stand after dark on Sunday to hunt the stand on Monday a.m. or should I hang it Monday a.m. before I hunt and just go in earlier? I lean toward Sunday night because I self film and don't want to have stand, sticks, camera gear, bow and hunting clothes on as I hang the stand. But each time into the woods you run risk of bumping deer and leaving scent. If I go in after dark I can hang the stand faster and get out and then on Monday a.m. I just go in and sit. If I can get there early enough on Sunday it's mute point I will try to hang the stand then, but with kids and family sometimes it's hard to get away early enough. There is a chance another club member could have that property reserved on Sunday.
Hang and hunt. It will suck having to wake up earlier, carry all the gear in, and set up in the dark - but it's worth it. You will be leaving scent either way. It's best to be in the tree when the deer come through your scent for the first time.
