Chuck, this is why i don't cut my trail until i'm well off into the woods.Metoo partner..when I get off the main trail ...I cut into some thick crap..I walk 100yds to a small trail and then cut off that trail through another 10 foot high palmetto jungle..No one would ever try going through it..But like you ..when I'm 50yds through that..I got my trail made to get to my stand..From the stand I got mywindows made..

My original question deals with//when I cut through the jungle off the trail ...I don't want to cut that down because it keeps my spot hidden from other hunters.It's when I was walking through the 10 foot high jungle of palmettos that I heard deer ahead..

once you get a few hundred yards from a road, it is unlikely someone will find it. You got that right..That's why I love the place..most hunters don't stray far from roads and the ones that do will usually have enough courtesy to back out once they see someone else is hunting that area. i hunt alot like you, it's nothing to have to walk 1 mile to my stand. so once i get a couple hundred yards in, i start cutting my trails. i'll cut a trail to my tree. then i'll climb my tree and get at my desired hunting height and look around. i'll look for natural trails and other area's deer will most likely be coming from. then i will climb down and widen existing trails and/or make some new ones. keep in mind, the trails don't have to be cut wide enough to drive a 4 wheeler down...just wide enough to get a shot and encourage deer to use.

I apprecaite the reply Camo..especially since you hunt the same terrain and public land as well. I also know you have much more expereince than I ..Camo...do you think game cameras spook the deer.I'd love to get a picture of the monster I saw last year..I'm thinking about buying a game camera..

PS By the way..I chose A ...I kept walking.I feel really creepy in the Green Swamp on the ground..I feel much better in a tree.I do plan ot walk much slower and quieter though next year..I'm still learning and I think I getto my stand a little too fast.