I've had mature bucks refuse to cross my trail (rubber boots on). One of them circled around it and ended up right in front of me (see avatar). I've also had young bucks and mostly does follow my trail back to my tree trying to see where I went. When I approach a field stand (alfalfa), I walk straight down the center of the field to my stand. That way, if they do pick up my trail it is usually too late. If it's a deer you're not going to shoot you may have to hide from it until it loses interest. In other situations I sometimes make a "button hook" and come into my stand from the back. You can never be too careful.