Wind, wind, wind, can't say it enough.

Know where you're going, and how you plan to get there, unnoticed,before you start.

You may have to wait for frost to melt before you start walking, since the leaves will be really noisy. If so, I like to start in a high traffic area, since they may come by before you start walking.

With a bow, you'll probably want to be on the side of a hill looking down to where you plan on shooting if possible.

Plan how long you think it will take to get where you are going and consider the position of the sun. Try not to walk directly toward the sun, since you won't be able to see very well, but don't compromise playing the wind to not walk toward the sun.

Only you can decide whether to nock and arrow or not. Having one ready, will make it harder to be quiet and the broad head will want to grab onto everything, but not having one will obviously make taking a surprise shot much harder, meaning at a deer that you are surprised to see.

No matter what, wear you quietest clothes. If the ground is dry, you may even consider taking off your boots when you get in close. You'd be amazed at how quiet you can be in wool socks.

Wear orange on your head, or you may not have it for long.

Use binoculars.

A thread hanging from your bow will update you on wind conditions constantly.

Pause next to trees to break up your outline.

Pause for a while, or until you've scanned the whole area after you break a stick or make any other large animal sounds in the woods. All eyes are watching your specific area at this moment.

If you know that a deer has busted you, but hasn't started running away, you may consider simply turning and walking away from the deer, as if you were just going that way anyway. When you know they can no longer see you, take up the stalk again, or better yet cut them off where you think they were headed.

Cover your face with camo or your glove if a deer looks at you, or at least close one eye.

Convenience your self that every single step counts!

Take breaks at major crossings, while paying attention to the wind.

Tell someone where you will be and when you plan on returning.

Carry a pack with enough supplies to spend at least one night, and have a first aid kit.

If you have to make noise, try to mimic a squirrel, turkey or other animal. Bring other animal calls along.Turkey, squirrel or whatever calls you are comfortable using. They can help set the deer at ease.

If this is your first time, go on a day when it is legal to shoot a doe. This increases your odds, and I've found that many people don't understand how hard this really is, so they will become discouraged and not continue. If you can improve your odds at getting a deer this way, I'm pretty sure it will become your favorite way to hunt.

Wet leave also increases your odds for being unnoticed.

Rubber boots allow you to walk in a stream in otherwise impassable places. Chest waders will allow you to walk right up a creek. I'm amazed at how many good, active crossings there are on creeks. Problem with this is, a bow and arrow will be next to impossible to get a shot since you are so low on the terrain when you're in water. If using a bow, I would only use the water as a way to get to a remote location and then get back on the land to continue the stalk.

Are you stalking a specific deer? Or just trying it out and planning to take whatever is available to you?