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.