I don't scout my hunting area. I've hunted the same area for 20 years and there are a lot of deer there. The area is set up perfectly with various types of habitat all coming together within a about 1/2 mile of each other. Except for a single logging road down the middle of it there are no sign of people (other than the other hunters that are familiar with this area) throughout the entire month of November.
There are hundreds of different trails that the deer travel inside of that area but with the hunting pressure and the numbers they seem to always travel the one I happen to be sitting on at least once every couple of days. I don't think I've ever gone more than 3 days without at least a sighting.
With IF&W's increase in any deer permits for that zone by 6000 this year I expect the situation to only be better.
But man, I can't wait until next Saturday. This is the ONE thing I schedule my vacation around every year. It's the one time every year I get to spend some good quality time with my Father doing something we both really enjoy. And with the permit increase both he and I have the chance to tag out two each so the excitement level is that much higher this season.
I hope everyone has a successful season and good luck on that 200 pounder Jim!