i have hunted my whole life and for the most part when you are getting close on a stalk of a deer or elk you should have one out already. but i also hunt on the ground not in a tree stand so i don't know if that would be any different. and as far as the feathers making noise, if you are close enough to it for it to hear that (if you are going slow and steady) you should just pick up a rock and hit it because you are way close. all in all that is a great quiver and should work great for you.