I understand SAR folks like to find out if a lost person they're searching for is right- or left-handed. It helps them figure out which way they'll be circling toward.
I, too, have heard about passing to the left of an object if you're right-handed, etc. and it seems to work, unless the objects are too close together and you circle left. Alternating would minimize error in dense woods or closely spaced obstacles.
Best plan is to sight a landmark in the distance and go straight toward it. Then pick out another and go to that, etc. If you have a companion, take turns being the landmark. One walks out to edge of vision, looks back and gets lined up on course by person who stayed behind. They then stay still while stay-behind leapfrogs them to edge of vision, repeat process.