How many of ya hunt public land and get to your stands before daylight starts to appear? Because thats is how I am kinds forced to hunt at the time being, around here.  Thanks  

I do. There are few trucks that early when I go if any. Different story in the afternoon. Lazy bstrds!   :D

I get out there well before daylight to beat the crowd.However if you can be in stand around 10:30 to 11:00 you will get deer moving do to guys leaving.

I either put up a stand at O-Dark-stupid, or just find a ground spot and still hunt.  That allows me to sneak out of the area if someone else bumbles in.  There's limited public land here, so it happens quite a bit.  Generally good natured enough folks, but I still don't want to be in sight or sound of other people when I'm out.

Yep every year!

Where you at Yekret??

Always-----------even though 2-3 of my spots NEVER see deer untill 8:30-10a..... just like to get comfortable, watch nature, maybe take a nap---course that might be why I don't see deer till later  

We are fortunate here in Pennsylvania to have over 3.1 million acres of public land;  There are few places here where there is not a fairly large game lands or State forest.   Near my home the public land is not crowded at all until the first day of rifle season....the Monday after Thanksgiving.  I don't sit in tree stands though, I prefer to still-hunt or post along a trail between bedding areas and a small creek.

I always try to get in before day light but I have a friend that is the best big buck killer I have ever met and he says a lot of times he waits until he can see a little before he goes in so he does not spook deer (I don't even have a number on the amount of big bucks he has killed and mounted from public land) he says it just depends on the situation.  
The very first deer I killed with a bow was on public land. It was dark when I got in there and I shot this tiny doe and it ran about 60 yards.  I waited 15 minutes and went to trailing it and I saw a guy in a tree that was only about 70 yards away from me he was pointing at my deer that died write in front of his stand.  He either beat me in there or was very quiet when he went in cuzz I had no idea he was there.  kind of funny.

I hunt some public land up in michigan and it is nice because I have seen 3 other bowhunters during the past 5 seasons.  I usually can hunt all day and not see anyone at all.  I haven't shot a deer up there yet but I figure its worth a try.

well here in south east SD, I hunt a small public area, and I get to stand early and see lots of deer. Although I have hunted it in all diffrent areas, 2 years ago I found the right tree and the right spot were they move every day . It is only like 80 yrds from the road, so easy walk. I love it.Umm never saw another hunter all season, I hunt mostly on week days and a few weekends , depending on my work hours. Its a real easy walk from the car to my stand. So I am getting excited for hunting season! Thanks

New York has tons of public land as well.
I go in to my stand or the area I plan to hunt at dark but stop after several hundred yards to wait until I can see in the dim light. then I VERY slowly still hunt towards the spot I plan to stay for a few hrs.

At least a half hour before first light on private or public land..

Hey John....why don't you just sneak on Bill's private land???? I've seen him run...he's not very fast and chances are he won't catch you!  

Public land here in southeastern PA is not bad on the weekdays but weekends are packed with guys.  In early and stay until noon and you'll get your deer.  Most guys are back to their truck by 9 and bumping the deer right to you.

I do straight nights/weekends at work so I do my hunting during the week.  I go out at noon and hunt until dark and I have had a lot more success and sleep than when I was getting up at 0430 to go out.  Most people are out of the woods by noon.  Joseph

yes. no stands, though.

I do, but rarely see anyone else.

Got to get there early so you won't get shot. lol Always use a flashlight even if I can see how to walk going in and out in the evening.:)If I can't get in early I hunt the middle of the day and go in when most are gone.

Ditto James Wrenn

Your right Tim. He probably couldn't catch me running, but I'm not sure that I could out run an arrow!        LOL

If you are hunting public land that gets a fair amount of pressure, the keys are 1. Go "Early" 2. "Go "Deep".  3. "Stay late".
Most people won't go more than a couple hundred yards from the road. Let them push the deer to you. To be affective, you really need to be settled into your set and hour before legal shooting light.