Geoff, A couple of pointers for you. First of all, hunting requires patience and perserverence. This is my first year bow hunting as well and so far I've killed 4 with my bow and 1 with my muzzleloader. There's a couple of things you're doing wrong in my opinion.

First, a deer's primary sense is it's nose. Not it's eyes or ears like what we use. When you track thru the woods crossing deer trails, etc.. you are leaving scent there. Even w/ rubber boots, etc...I'm a scent control maniac and on many occasions this year I've had deer head right to me and when they get to my path they stop, smell, and turn around. You cannot, I mean cannot cross the deers travel routes to your stand and expect to see them. They do not like to cross human scent.

Now, if you're not paying attention to the wind your handicapping yourself. Figure out how the deer are likely to move and set up down wind of it. Preferably 20-25 yards away in a well hidden tree with lots of back cover. Make sure you have shooting lanes and a good angle on the deer as it passes. I always wait until it passes me to get a good broadside or quartering away shot. If you can't get in with the wind in your favor and without crossing travel routes then don't go in but hunt the edges. You have to get in with the wind at your favor and as undetected as possible. The best hunters never, ever compromise the wind.

Sometimes you may not know how the deer travel a certain area. In this case use the wind at your favor and hunt the edges until you learn how they are using the area. Then sneak in when the wind is right and ambush them.

Be sure to take a scent free shower and keep your clothes scent free. If your upwind they'll smell you anyway, but keep it to a minimum. You want to put the odds in your favor as much as possible.

Lastly, nobody is totally quiet in the woods. Move slowly and quietly thru the woods and climb the tree the best you can. I find that this is plenty quiet. The big thing is scent and keep your movement down. Deer detect movement much better than we do and if your doodling in your stand they'll bust you. Good luck and think about your stand locations and strategies depending on the wind direction and your available acess routes. You'll see more deer and have more opportunities.