Cold Truths –#3 : Being Early Isn’t Always Better

Written By Jason Peterman


The Obsession with Early

We all like being early. First truck there. First one in the woods. Feels like you’re doing it right. Sometimes you are. Sometimes you’re not.

What Early Really Means on Public Land

Getting in super early often means:

  • Walking while deer are still moving

  • Making noise when everything’s quiet

  • Educating deer before daylight

I’ve done it plenty of times, thinking I was gaining an edgeTiming Beats the Clock

Some of my better sits didn’t start at dark-thirty. They started when things settled down. When:

  • Pressure eased

  • The woods relaxed

  • Deer felt safer moving again

Being early isn’t wrong — it’s just not always the answer.

Final Thought

Public land isn’t about beating the clock. It’s about matching the moment. Sometimes patience does more than punctuality ever will. Don't be afraid to break the early bird rule. The trophy doesn't care how early you woke up- only that you were in the right place at the right time . It also helps on occasion to have a thermos of Folgers in stand with you? Deer tend to gravitate towards Folgers and nutty buddy bars 🤓

Jason Peterman
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Winter Woods Walks – #3: Slowing Down in the Wrong Places

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Public Land Lessons – #3 : Access Is Everything