UltraMag it is hard for me to offer up advice unless I was able to see how much sign is around. I myself love to still hunt (or stalk as you put it) and track deer in fresh snow. It does take some time to master these techniques though. However once you start doing it on a regular basis it will pay huge dividens. The other plus is you get to see more of the woods and a chance to see high activity areas that you wouldn't see if you sat in a blind or tree stand all day. This also pays off if you didn't get a chance to put time in to do any pre season scouting.
The trick is to get some good binos, they are a huge asset even in the thick woods. They don't have to be ubber expensive but they shouldn't be cheapies either. I use a pair of Leupold 8x30 yosesmite binos and have been very pleased with them. They are not so heavy as to feel like a 25 pound necklace at the end of the day. But they are very clear and bright even in the dense woods.
The other thing that you don't want to do is walk like you were taking a stroll through the woods, which I'm sure you already know. Get in the woods pull out your binos and glass through the trees as far out as you can while listening to your surroundings. I always stop next to a good sized tree while doing this. I'll do this for 15 - 20 min or until I'm satisfied there are no deer close by before I pick up and move. When I do move I move no more than 50 yards then begin to disect the woods again with my binos. It is slow going but it has to be if you want to put the sneak on them sneaky white tails
If for what ever reason you do kick up a deer while walking stop immediately, this is where most folks bungle things up. Don't stand there and say to yourself aww shucks I been busted again. Wait until you feel that the deer are out of sight or you can't hear them moving anymore. Before moving use your binos to be sure they're not there looking back at you, if not then find a good sized tree nearby sit and wait. Often times deer will only go a short distance before stopping and checking they're back trail to see what spooked them. If they see or hear nothing they will either come back the way they came or make a wide circle and come back to the general area you kicked them up at. So once that happens stay there for 1hr- 1 1/2 hrs to see what comes back, it could very well be Mr. Big. I've done this several times and it does work. This foolish little 4 point decided to come back to where I initially kicked him up at on opening day. He got a 240gr Hornady XTP-HP from my Marlin .44 as reward for his foolish mistake.
Tracking is done much the same as still hunting only your obviously following tracks in fresh snow. You do have to go slow though as again the deer are always checking they're back trail. It is also very important to pay attention to the wind here as well. If the deer your tracking decides to bed down guess what he's going to do....? Stick his nose right in the wind to smell what is coming. So always be patient , move slowly, and take your time when glassing.
Both of these tecniques are very effective. If they weren't the Benoit family wouldn't be nationaly renowned for they're deer tracking exploits, and the huge deer they harvest from doing so every year. But it all boils down to how you personally like to hunt. If your like me and like to explore a bit and see what is around the next bend then this type of hunting may be for you. Just don't be to quick to give up as it does take time, patience and prctice. But once you put it all together and out sneak and out witt the wiley white tail it is very very rewarding. The best of luck to you and be safe.
