Have a strategy in place to coincide with the existing weather conditions. Once you have made the decision where to hunt (based on previous scouting) and what method you decide to use (stand/still hunting etc)...stay ALL DAY.

Persisstance and dedication is the key here and always remember you may fool a deer's eyes and his ears but you'll NEVER fool his sense of smell.

Be invisible.

Make sure you have sighted in your gun

Rember the TP, or have a shirt on that you dont care that much for. Also look around befor ya drop the drawers in the woods, ya might not have seen that guy in the tree when ya walked that morning. [:'(] He didnt say anything tell I was done.

Hunt woods that have deer,and don't forget your release.Been there-done that

If you are hunting a Trophy Buck, sometimes you've got to "bump" them from they're beds to kill them. Mid-day, go scouting with stand and a pruner, and walk the bedding areas you think he may be staying. If you do finally "bump" the buck your after, set up a stand right there and then. Wait a day or two, and be waiting for him for a morning hunt ~ but go-in early! This won't work every-single-time. But more often then not, they will return to the same areas to bed, even after getting bumped out. Why? They're plan worked. They busted you on your way in the first time. This gives them confidence in they're bedding area, and they return thinking they are safe!

#1Nodose
#2 Go through some mock hunting on a calm clear still night. You'll be amazed at how much noise you make. Take care of it before you go.

Do you have a sling on your gun?
if you answered yes, remove it.

I've seen too many hunters walking up to their stands or whatever with their guns on their shoulder, just looking at the deer run away...

Funny on the weeekend we were talking about this very thing, when we recalled an event that happened a number of years ago at elk camp. One of the former members was leaning against a tree with his gun of course slung over his shoulder when who pranced up the herd bull with his girls. How the heck can this happen...when we had elk screaming all over the bloody valley what would possess a guy to sling his iron???
Point is be attentive and ready b/c it can happen when you least expect it!

I think the 3 P's cover pretty much it all.

1) Preparation
2) Patience
3) Persistence

#1 thing all hunters should know, learn and respect all biggame are much better with their nose than any other attribute or sense they may possess...so use it to your advantage not theirs - HUNT THE WIND and remember they will always try to defer to that sense so be sure you have a plan for the backdoor at all times(especially when calling)!

Sling it on your off shoulder pointed down at the ground, then it is just as quick to get to your shoulder as a rifle without one, and you'll have the help of the sling with the shot. [8D]