"Going in Blind" in the dark

What do you guys do if you are going into a new spot in the morning. Do you wait until there is some daylight, or do you just go in to a general area you found on a map or satellite image and hope for the best?

Probably going to Wheeler in the morning, haven't hunted there in a couple of years.

If it where me I would wait until some daylight. Don't want to step in a whole or set up on a tree with no view.

This is what I do

I wait for enough to light so I can at least see the terrain.

I've gone in when it's dark on a new area before and after getting all up in the tree after first light I realized I wasn't in a good setup.. So now I'll always wait till I can see

I would ease on in and sit down somewhere but not climb until I could check around for dead trees and limbs. When I did climb I would do it very slowly and quietly,waiting between steps listening. You know a good one will be waiting to come by as soon as you aren't looking.

Once the sun rises you are in PRIMETIME. How many of us has been half way up a tree with our bow on the ground and see a buck? I've also killed them the first 10 mins of daylight, moving to their bedding area.

If it's a area I have never been in I will either wait till daylight so you don't climb a dead tree, have a chitty view from the tree you cosa or get in a tree with a widow maker hanging in it. Most of the time I hunt spots I have never been in before it's in the afternoon.

New area, I'll wait till I can see a little. You are just going to disturb everything around you stumbling around in the dark or having to turn on a flashlight.

I hunted this spot 3 seasons ago, but I had no idea what I was doing and just randomly set up. I did see some deer there, but I'm not sure if they got pushed there because of other hunters or were actually using the area. Again, I knew nothing and didn't really know what to make of anything. I was just amazing I saw deer.

If im going to hunt a new spot that I do not have time to scout first, I would personally wait until the afternoon.

I normally do scouting ahead of time via topo maps and aerial photo. That gets me in the general area I want. Once there, I’ll usually stand there in the dark trying to see tree outlines, etc. Usually I can pick a tree before daylight that will allow me to go ahead and set the stand, climb up, etc. Like Perch said, being up and ready at first light sometimes will give you a chance you’d otherwise miss.

If you are gun hunting, then I’d definitely be up and ready before daylight. If bow hunting, then setup is more critical.

Going in blind for me means finding a spot in the afternoon. I used to try and find spots while it was still dark and you'll never end up happy with your setup if you do it that way. Really don't like walking around at first light, either.

I've set a climber in a tree on new ground before at sunset. I went in the following morning in the dark and walked around for half and hour without finding it. Had to wait until sun up to find it.

I no longer get in the stand/climber in the dark anymore. I usually get there right at sun up. Easier to avoid stepping on a snake too.

Going in blind in the mornings, I like to go in about an hour before daylight. Take your time and don't panic. Slip in quietly and don't be afraid to take the time to stop and listen. Just turn your light off and listen for acorns falling.

A buddy and I use to do this a lot back in college. He's the one that got me using lockons for these type setups. They were definitely the best way to go.

Good luck.

I went to a place I had hunted for years. Hadn't been in there for about 5 years. Climbed the oak and waited for daylight. When it got daylight I found out the tree was dead. Kind of made me start thinking more about my methods of hunting needless to say.

I'm in the crowd that would much rather wait until a little light is peeking through and slip in quietly, taking my time, making little noise as possible. In my experience, this has proved more effective than tearing through the woods in the dark making racket, regardless of how early I get there before daylight. I know opinions are like armpits, but this is mine

One thing I'll follow up with though, is that waiting until first light to walk in to a new spot blind on Public Land is a gamble, since part of the game there is trying to get to a spot before the other hunters do.

Well, it didn't matter. I forgot to set my alarm


but thanks for the advice, guys! I will be back in Huntsville next week and will probably hit up Wheeler then.

Ease in today and find a good area, next week you’ll be a step ahead.

On a side note, it looks like a lot of y'all need to get Santa to bring you a better flashlight.

I was only going to be able to hunt this morning, gotta get back down to birmingham today.

I got a flashlight that will illuminate a 100 yard football field in the darkest night. I just don't think the deer would be to keen on it.

walked in blind last year in the dark looking for a specific tree but couldn't find it. Got really frustrated and soaked piddling. just climbed a tree that looked somewhat appealing.

Saw a hot doe and 7 bucks that morning the first 30 minutes of light but no real shooters.

Still prefer a little light to help my barrings.

I've had some great hunts walking in blind. Go in at dark you will usually take the easiest route when walking which is usually what deer will also do. Find what you think is a decent spot and climb. Don't work out 💯 but it works more times than not.

I have always believed your best chance of killing a big deer is the first time you hunt a stand. I will spend the dark time walking to the general area, at first light, I refine my area and pick a tree. I've never been a believer in you need to climb your tree in the dark. Many times if it's a brand new area I will scout/still hunt in the morning and stand hunt the afternoon.

Funny thing which goes along with MarksOutdoors comment.
In the dark, even with a good light, things are going to look different. I mean unless you have a giant spotlight to see all around which of course would probably run everything off as well.

I've had a tree marked before with that orange tape, and a path marked with tape as well. Didn't mark path to my tree the last 40 yds or so (soo there's wouldn't find it). I got there in the dark, looked around for 15 min, and not until it got lighter could I find the tree lol

If I'm sitting in a stand I'll be there before the first lights appear in the Eastern sky. Its better that way.

I always had visions of sugar plumbs when I planned a blind walk into a new area. Reality sat in when I crashed though the woods and never could find a good tree. It always amounted to a bunch of frustration and regret. Now I just sleep in.

I've never noticed that it made a difference. I shine my bright light towards the ground to check shooting lanes once I get into my stand. I can't tell you how many deer walk within bow range of my stand within a couple of minutes of turning it off.

Garmin gps solves that problem for me everytime. Love my 64st

I make a stalk hunt to my stand site if I'm not exactly sure where I want to go. I've killed several deer on the way to the place I had planned to hunt.

Just hunt from the ground. Carry a small seat in your back pack.