I like to check trails after fresh snow has been on the ground for a week or so at that time I just mentally pick out trees for next season,most of my sets are put up in March/April as things green up.
I usually pick a travel corridor hopefully and an area where several trails cross and then put up at least 2 stands so no matter the wind direction I can hunt that location.
Trail cameras and food plots are your friend. Lot of people don't consider deer travel patterns when they put in a plot, find an area where several trails cross and plant some clover.
can you get in there with a lock on nw and just try out a few spots? That way come next season you'll have a good idea where you want it, Thing about hunting is watching deer in the stand and patterning them and there trails from in a tree you can always move it closer or back it up once you see there travels.
the thing about doing it now is you have have a entire yesterday for the deer to relax once you find the prefect spot. Jump um now that way your set next year not to.
Buy a mobile set like a lone wolf or xop and hang and hunt. I'm always picking new spots, adjusting setups, stand going in and out on your back is the best way to do this.
If you're making noise slow down. I have a summit viper and I can climb most trees nearly silent. Some trees like red pine the bark makes noise but no more that a porcupine climbing a tree. Should be able to hang a high quality hang on silently
I'm the same as you. Every time I set a stand after changing my mind 5 times about which tree it should be in I start thinking it should be in a different spot and the deer will take a different trail lol. It's fun and a tad frustrating but with each sit and each passing year I learn my woods better and get more comfortable with spot selections. Now I just need 45 more stands to cover every trail and I'll be content
Honestly I use a gorilla climber stand and have gone up pretty noisy in some cases and deer walk by 5 minutes later. I don't suggest throwing silence to the wind but a little noise ain't going to negatively impact you too much. If it does make a difference its because you didn't get in the stand early enough and the deer are already there.
