Matt,

Trust me.... (I am also pretty much a "newbie" - my 3rd year.) I have made the biggest bonehead mistakes known to man out there. I remember how I NEVER saw deer and how I didn't have a tree stand at the time. Deer could wind me from 3 miles away!

{imagining a herd of deer laughing at me.... "(Sniff) Hey everyone, check it out (sniff), it's that dumb-a$$ newbie hunter again". Another deer: "(Sniff) Yeah, he's using Mennen Speed Stick again". Another deer: "(Sniff)Not only that, but I think his wife washed his camo in (sniff) I think 'Cheer' laundry detergent!" First deer again: "(Sniff) Ha ha ha ha.... Let's get outta here though. One of these days he'll wise up". - Sha-Zam, the whole herd vanishes from the area I'm going to hunt... }

Matt, do yourself a favor - take it from me..... Get your a$$ up in a tree! Deer can smell anything. Deer can smell the type of shampoo you used in your hair. No joke! Their nose is way more powerful than even the best bloodhound.

Once I learned the hard way and got a tree stand, I started seeing deer, and hearing them rummaging around.

Butch A.