How to hunt my new area??

[Tbob]

Hey Gang,
   So I'm headed to AZ tomorrow for a solo 4 day archery mule deer hunt. I'm driving over Thursday and expect to be Pulling into camp pretty late. I've looked over a bunch of maps, Google earth and have my OnX map chip for my Garmin. So my question is this, there's a ridge about a mile from my camp that I'm planning on spending my time the first day glassing. So should I wait for sun up and slowly make my way to the ridge hunting along the way or be at the ridge top come sun up? I'd just hate to walk past deer on my way to my "spot". How do you guys hunt the first day of your area if you've never seen it and are pulling into camp after sun down? Thanks for any advise!

[cbond3318]

In that situation I would choose to hunt my way to the ridge for exactly the reason you stated (walking through game while on your way to the ridge). Although, I would not hunt my way there as slowly as I would hunt an area known to hold game. In theory, what you may miss at sunrise slipping into timber , should show up for the evening glass. 

Good luck, sounds like a blast!

[dscubame]

Hunt on your way up in the a.m. before the thermals change.  Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. I have killed way way way more deer than at the crack of dawn.  Take your time getting up to your ridge for sure.

[Tbob]

Kind of what I was thinking too.. Thanks for the advise guys. That means an extra hour of sleep too... Ha...