Leaving after dark when deer are still around?

[cberg]

Any idea what the rule of thumb would be on leaving your tree stand after dark with deer still around. Any ideas of how to minimize running the deer off for good?
We seem to have quite a few deer coming in right at or after dark and then we are stuck. Whats the rule of thumb on this? I know we have to leave sooner or later but we have a few nice bucks coming in and don't want to run them off to the next county so any ideas would help.

Thanks

[robodad]

I would be moving my stand to intercept them before dark, seems you set up right where they hang out at dark so just move to catch them on there way to that spot then at dark they are already gone from your area and you can get outta your stand !!

[bobcat]

I was just reading Boyd Iverson's book last night and he says don't ever get out of your stand until the deer are gone. So I guess you need to follow robodad's advice...or sit up there all night.   

[Joe_Hunter]

That's a tough  call. I was on a stand once and a giant  came in and hug up at the edge of dark. I had a great look at him but no shot presented itself. I ended up waiting an hour after shooting light just until he moved off. As luck would have it the wind came up the next day and he stayed off the ridge we were hunting and bedded down in a nearby thicket that was posted property.
A buddy of mine killed him a week later. Same stand, same tree and same buck.
It wasn't me but I glad my buddy got him. and I often wonder if I would have busted him if that deer would have ever gotten harvested.

 

[Special T]

I carry a pocket of rocks to throw... makes a little noise and normally moves em out without spooking too badly.... I believe Boyd says that in his book too...

[bow4elk]

I'm with Boyd...sit tight.  And as Robodad suggested this should give you a good indication of their direction of travel, so you could try moving your stand "upstream" so-to-speak.  Sounds like you are set up in their actual preferred feed area.  You may lose shooting light but you'll be seeing deer sooner too, so it's a wash and you will be hunting deer that are less spooky if they are on established trails inside security cover.  A simply bleat with your voice should stop them calmly for a shot.

[LongTatLaw]

the nice thing about deer out here is that they arent used to treestands and aren't educated..it only takes one serious interaction and that deer will look up in that tree every time it comes in for the next 2 years...

sit tight...MOST deer wont hang out forever...  and if ur not on a bait pile (which is just fine if ya are) then they will be gone in like 5 mins...  a bait pile might mean 30+ mins

I feel like I dont want them knowing im in the tree...2nd best is not associating something climbing outta that tree at 5 mins after light...so...at least wait a good 30 mins if ya just gotta go..then the association is at least dark not twilight...

dont educate the deer!

a georgia yearling doe will pick ya off in a douglas fir...25 feet up...from 100 yards away...dont want that kinda sense catchin on around here!!

[bow4elk]

LongbeardLaw, you workin' on a Christmas beard?  Let me know which mall to avoid with my kids