RE: New Guy, big problems
Theres one major factor that is causing you not to see deer while on stand. You have your bait pile frequentlyactive. Deer, especially bucks may and will go noctornal if they know there is a great food source near by. Eliminate most of your bait. Baiting is a great management tool but it does no good if you have too much of it, the deer have become noctornal. Place 1-3 gallons out per week if needed. Personally I have noticed by not placing it directly in a pile but by scattering out the bait the deer are going to become less noctornal and are more likely to visit the bait while youre on stand. So here's some tips:
1:Less bait
2:Scatter the bait
Other than that it sounds as if youre doing everything else just fine. Look for natural funnles, this is also a main factor in seeing deer. This time of the year is the time to be making some funnles if needed, come next fall the deer may use the man made funnles. If you have any barbwire fences that are no longer used for keeping in catle, you can cut one or more of the wire ferncing off to create a natural funnle. I have done this on my property and you wouldnt believe what a difference that made. Good luck.