I can't sit in a tree stand for hours like I used to. I used to be able to sit until 11: AM or noon without any problems.
My back and knees just won't allow me so I'm thinking about changing my strategy, at least for the upcoming rut.

Instead of getting into the stand between 5:30 to 6:30AM, I'm planning going in between 8: AM and 9:AM.

I'm interested in here your thoughts.

Thanks, Bob

Good plan.

I'd take the sunrise shift and leave the stand earlier: 6:00 to 9:30AM rather than 8:30 AM to 11:00AM.

I guess it depends on whether you're hunting a travel, bedding or feeding area.

Hereabouts the first half-hour after sunrise and last half-hour before sunset are the best times.  My spot is beside very heavy cover and I get them coming and going from where they bed up.

In fact, 15 minutes before sunset is THE time to be waiting for movement at my primary stand.

Aside from my ailments, it seems like when I leave my stands early I jump deer. Also, with the rut starting to ramp up, I'm see more deer movement on my ride home. I feel like it's a no win situation for me. I love being in the stand at day break especially the first hour but I feeling like I'm missing out on the deer movement mid-morning until noon. Am I making too big of a deal out of this?

Saw five bucks yesterday morning 1 at first light other 4 were between 9 and 12:15

As the old saying goes:

"The early bird gets the worm.  Bit the second mouse gets the cheese."

When I hunted public land it was as important to pattern the other hunters as well as the deer.  There would be pre and post lunch & pee breaks when the deer would button-hook around the "hunters" (who were not hunting at that point - just walking or driving ATVs out & back in).

There are two best times to be in the woods:

A.) When the deer are there, and failing that
II.) Every chance you get.

Figuring out when deer are in the area you are hunting is part of the art of pre-season scouting.

I used to get in stand at least 30 minutes before shooting light. I got tired of bumping deer in the dark. Anymore I either walk in during legal shooting light, or time it so I hit the stand at legal time.
During the prerut and rut I think late morning can be just as good if not better than first light especially for hunting bucks. The downwind side of bedding areas is my favorite spot to catch bucks cruising for a hot doe.

I'd say it depends on pressure and the moon. Check your cameras and see when deer seem to be moving the most and hunt accordingly.

Need more Information, of layout of property, deer movement.  Anymore, I either get into stand way early (october) or wait till I have enough light to stalk using bino's to where hunting.  I have found on public land this time of year, splits into two groups, the all dayers and the early morning.  I have waited until all the hunters are done with the area, then stalk in with good luck

I'd take the early shift and just get in a hair later than say 5:30? I'd try to hit legal shooting light on the button. That will allow you to stay until 9:30-10ish? You might also try fiddling around more on stand? I do it a lot getting up stretching etc at least in a treestand. Are you hunting on the ground?

A little secret around here-- most everyone believes they need to get in before daylight and they bump deer.  Bumped equals educated.  Deer bed earlier and then move after most of these guys have sat for three hours and given up.  Deer are much better at patterning us than we are them.  When you step into the woods your stepping into their house.  I think youre spot on woth your strategy.

In the public marsh where I hunt, I hunt the evenings almost exclusively.  I hate getting up early and even when I do, I prefer to sneak in under first actual light, not needing a flashlight or bumbling around.

During the actual two to three weeks of pre gun season rut that we have, deer can be running anywhere at any time.  But... generally, the bucks start moving here about 1.5 hours prior to the end of shooting and the does about 30 minutes prior to the end of shooting and it has been that way for a long time... here.

I have had luck both ways. A lot depends on the situation but my suggestion is try it both ways. Hunt the weather patterns and the property.

After Breakfast... Right, Charlie!!?? Lol

I also like walking in during the greylight. I will suggest climbing down and stretching a little bit when the legs and back start acting up. Maybe hunt from the ground or stand by the tree for a little and then get back in the stand.

Whatever you decide, make sure it is enjoyable and have fun.

Here are a few details of my hunting situation.
I'm scheduled for a knee replacement in January. The bad knee seems to affect my entire leg and back. It's hard to sit still.
I hunt public land, hundreds of acres of BIG woods.
There is very little hunting pressure early in the season but starts to get crazy closer to gun season as the gun hunter's start wondering the woods hanging surveyors tape and looking for places to dump their bait piles.
I'm lucky in that I get to hunt after work most nights when there is very little hunting pressure. The weekends are when I get out in the morning. I'm looking to optimize my time in the woods given my physical limitations and the additional competition.  The Pro's and Con's of entering the stand early or late in the morning?

If you're hunting "Big Woods"... I'd loose the treestand.
Find yourself a few good places to sit, then stillhunt, from one to the next, depending on wind, conditions, time of day, etc.
Sit each spot, as long as your body will let you, then move to another... It's called "hunting" LOL! It's just a matter of being in the right place, at the right time... You can have the best stand in the woods. But if the Deer aren't there, OR you're not there...?? I have a bad back, and the old legs ain't what they used to be... I can sit for about an hour or two, that's it! The more time you spend in the woods, the better your odds are!!!
Getting Old, ain't for Sissys!!!

I am assuming your stand is in a location where you know the activity of the deer ...if you like tree stand hunting the most...and that is your preferred method...I would go early if there are other hunters coming early and moving game. If the area is not bothered much I would go when the deer usually come through based on how far they are from feeding area to bedding area. As the rut approaches activity will increase through all the hours..you might consider a good ground blind...you can move when your knee aches..it has to be in a good spot to conceal it of course...