With all the super crunchy leaves all over quiet is not a option. So is it better to go ahead and get there and then let things settle or try and be quiet and take your time? in any case your going to make noise.
I walk Two or three steps then hold on a few sec then start again. Takes a while but you sound more like an animal
I walk on my hands, lol you could try grunting softly as you walk. might help to trick the ears of bedded deer.
I just walk in with some pauses to see if I spooked anything. Anyhow deer have a memory of a gnat, half an hour at most. A deer could be walking your way out of ear shot, so by the time your in your stand he wouldn't have a clue anyway.
I raked trails after most of the leaves fell. I went yesterday and the trail is partially covered but really quiets things down. I walk a little and then pause to hear if any deer busted me close by. If not, I keep going. I think a bigger deal is having a clear path and not straying. Anything hanging across your path could leave your scent. I think giving things a chance to settle down is always a plus so I always try to get out well before prime time hunting. Good luck
When walking make sure your toes touch the ground before the heel. You'll walk quieter that way. Also, like already said, stop every few steps, look and listen, then continue on.
Well from my experince, I believe the best approach is to just give yourself some extra time to take your time walking in nice and slow and to get in your stand early. keep it simple, give yourself extra-time and just take your time, no matter how slow you walk if the deer are bedding in your path to your stand, your going to jump them regardless, but yeah give urself some extra time and you should be fine.
Yup, I do as redleg suggests. Get in early, walk slow, climb slow... and be as quiet as you can. This also helps keep you from sweating up on the way to the tree.
I'm a firm believer in "get there and get situated." This past weekend I made so much noise it was ridiculous. It wasn't on purpose, but I made a lot of noise. I had put up my climbing stand the day before and locked it to the tree. I forgot my key the next morning and had to climb the stand about 6 to 8 inches at a time, with the cable lock on it. Clanging and squeaking, all the way to 20 foot up. Took me a half hour. A deer walked into the woods 15 minutes after I got situated. That deer died 17 minutes after I got situated. So yeah, get there and get set up.
I have gotten in the stand Ninja style and not seen anything and then as CPt Morgan said I have been a bull in a china shop getting in there and seen a bunch of deer. I believe in as little noise as possible but sometimes it can't be helped and you stil see deer.
