If you're not there (in the stand)....how do you know they haven't patterned you?...and only avoid it when you're there?
This is a good question to an extent, but I am going by tracks and scat that have altered after hunting a stand a few times.
I used to think that I wasn't spooking deer.....because I didn't see them avoid me. Now....I think I quite possibly get pegged a bunch.....and never know it.
So, why do you think that you are getting pegged? Scent? Sight? Deer may have altered their path?
This is a good conversation Jeff, but actually what I was more looking for was "by what novel means" have you entered/exited stands, and why.
Yours is a definate take on this, but not exactly a different approach for different situations/setups. No harm. Actually we can continue and others can (please do) chime in as well.
LT