I am a freak about getting in there early an hour or two before legal shooting light! I would rather make some noise on my way to the stand then get caught climbing up not ready to shot. There are some things you need to do if your route makes noise. First, you need to make your travel route as sound proof as possible. Clean out what ever you can or make a path to your stand once the leaves start falling. The more you keep sticks and leaves out of your path the easier to get there without being busted. Second, to keep you on the right path.....throw up some reflective taks. They keep you going where you need to go and you can use them year to year. Also, I use one of the red covers over my flash light so I dont light the woods up. Get in there early, let the woods settle, and wait baby wait!