Sitting in a hunting stand can be very exciting while waiting for deer and other animals. Sometimes you are so excited that you jump at every falling leaf and breaking branch. Just be careful not to shoot your gun at the first squirrel that sneaks up behind you! Otherwise all the deer might be scared away... there goes one ruined hunt. This is a common first time hunter type syndrome when your heart races and adrenaline pumps so much you don't realize three hours have gone by. In most cases though sitting for hours in a tree stand can get kind of boring. You need some sort of distraction or else all that wiggling around is just going to alert the trees of your position.
First off, you need to remember that finding some source of tree stand entertainment is very important for the hunter. You will probably be moving around, looking for deer, and eventually one of those legs is going to fall asleep. The longer you sit, the more likely you are to be pinned. With all of these factors you are bound to start moving, but a source of entertainment will keep you occupied and maybe even a little less noticeable.
The most important resource you have while waiting for an animal to come along is your hearing so it is important to find something to do that is quiet, but still lets you listen. For example, headphones aren't a great idea because you can't hear the deer, but a book would be quiet and let you keep your ears open. Because a noise will be the first signal you have that a deer is walking up the path, it is imperative you pay attention! Gun hunting can be a different story though. With a bow you may be shooting from a few feet away while with a gun you can be shooting from across the field, so you also have to be on the lookout, because you won't be listening for the deer from that distance.
