Not seem like an utter rookie, but does that really work? One of my stands is is in so deep that I have zero chance of getting in quietly, should I just jog/walk quickly?
I can't claim to be an expert on deer behavior but I can count many times where I have had deer follow me into the woods on pre dawn mornings and broad daylight after simply hearing my footsteps.
Last year on my way to my stand I did a little jog in the leaves then squatted and waited.
Immediately a group of does from an adjacent ridge came running up on me to see if I wanted to play...lol.
I used a doe bleat and trotted around at the base of a knoll to attract a buck....he came up and grunted but never showed himself like a ninja....I think he was weirded out because he did not see a deer....he ran off and I tried it again and he came back but hid in a thicket.
I've got plenty of stories to share like this.
Now if they see or smell you then you're toast but they are super curious at times especially during the rut.
I like to experiment with all kinds of things and pay attention to frogs, crickets, squirrels, birds to see what kind of noises they make when deer come up to the area.
I've read a lot on Native American hunters and it's amazing the cool interaction even crickets have when animals pass through.
I'm sure y'all have heard squirrels barking and squeeling at deer.
I've had deer start to move when the crickets go from a crisp, loud noise to a low, comforting hum.
I make notes and mental notes of a lot of these little circumstances in nature and try to listen for patterns next time out.