Sometimes it's pretty boring to stay perched in a bow stand for hours on end, especially when the deer themselves are sedentary. Yes, it can be fun to watch nature's fall show unfolding, especially this time of year, before the trees are barren of their colorful leaves. But if you're like me, you'll often feel the urge to get out and hunt with your feet on the ground.

Most deer hunters enjoy stretching the legs now and again in order to stalk the whitetail's favorite haunts. (Hunters often call stalking "still hunting.") Hunters love looking for fresh tracks, rubs, scrapes, beds and other signs deer leave during their fall routines.

Yes, it's true that an archer's best chance of downing a deer is from a tree stand. But with the right conditions — and a bit of luck — it's possible to put venison in the freezer by "still hunting." I've bagged my two biggest bow bucks while stalking, plus I've been able to sneak within camera range of a few deer.

A successful stalk depends on a variety of factors: Wind is especially important — hunters can use the wind to cover their scent and the sound of their footfalls. A whitetail's sense of hearing is beyond human comprehension. So is their sense of smell. Hunters multiply their chances of stalking within bow range by hunting into or across the wind. A damp forest floor will also help hunters stalk silently.

Another factor is the rut, which occurs from late October to early or mid-November. The rut, or whitetail breeding season, puts bucks on their feet during daylight hours. Even the normally reclusive monarchs, which usually travel under darkness, are suddenly moving about during daylight hours and more vulnerable to stalking techniques. The rut considerably ups our chances of success.

A "still hunter" should employ additional methods to attract deer, especially bucks, while stalking. My backpack always includes a collapsible deer decoy, rattling antlers and a grunt call. I'll pause now and again when I'm out stalking and try to lure an unseen buck. Usually I'll strategically place a decoy before calling and rattling antlers.

"Still hunting" is definitely more difficult, but it can provide bored bow hunters with a new challenge and some exercise. I try to sit patiently in my deer stand for two hours in the morning and another two in the evening. But at midday, and especially during the rut, I like to rove around in hopes of finding a distracted buck.

It has worked for me.

Bill Marchel, an outdoors writer and photographer, lives near Brainerd.