As for having them sneak up on you, that shouldn't happen after the leaves fall, unless it is wet,
..... unless you're as hard of hearing as I am. I can watch a deer run through foot deep hickory leaves at 40 yards and hear nothing. I couldn't read. I have to sit there and try and relax and slowly swivel my head. I play a game, shift eyes as far as I can looking for sudden movement. Then I slowly back track them in the other direction looking for ears, nose, back lines, legs etc. I then slowly shift them all the way as far as I can and slowly turn my head to look straight at the furthest point. Then I begin the shift the eyes from far left to right etc over and over until I can see no further or my neck twist off.[&:] At that point I might chance a look to the rear and slowly reverse my head to the far other direction and start it all again. I never hear a deer first.... I see them, hopefully before they see Mr Bobblehead in the tree.