This may seem like an odd question, but do you have any armadillos on your property? We have a lot here in Arkansas and I noticed years ago that there is nothing that makes more noise than an armadillo in the woods. I also noticed that the deer didnt worry about the noise they make at all. So I listened carefully. Armadillos are short, squatty little things and they shuffle along. You cannot hear them take steps. Its just a constant, loud shuffle. They stop every now and then to root around in the leaves and thats it. Humans take big, heavy steps. Thats what deer are tuned in to. So several years ago I decided to try to mimic the sound of an armadillo when I head into the woods. I shuffle my feet...never pick them up off the ground...and stop every 10 feet or so and nose the toe of my boot around in the leaves for a few seconds and then start shuffling again. It seems weird to make that much noise on purpose, but I'm telling you it works. If the wind is right, I have shuffled up within 20 yards of deer in the dark. All the guys at my camp are sold on it now...my cousin shuffled up on a big buck that was standing under his ladder stand last season. He got so close before he noticed the buck that he was afraid it might hurt him if it spooked (no shot...it was way before first light). Try it if you have 'dillos and let me know what you think.