welcome aboard!...the only question i can asnwer is the treestand one...its not a nessisity...it helps keep your scent from the deer and out of their eye level so you can get away with some moving sometimes...i hunt from the ground and see many deer..just keep your clothes as scent free as possible and you should be ok..just dont move alot and be quiet...you dont need all the fancy scent stuff just let it sit out side for a few days to cath the breeze out of rain and such of course...thats about all i do..and if they ever need washed wash in plain water...