Hillbilly Archer, I hunt a small track of woods we own in a fairly residential areaand the deer come through it almost every day. I often hunt the middle as that is where most of the action is - most of the trails cut through our property at that point. If I were to hunt the edges, the deer would run out into a neighboring farm field I don't have permission to hunt or worse yet, a county road. So I hunt the middle. I find the key is like the others have said - not to pressure thedeers.

But I think a lot of it depends on what your definition of pressure is. Several driveways 1/4 to 1/2 mile long, including our'srun through the woods/swampland Ihuntand its not uncommon for us to see deer munching on browse in clearings as I drive out for work in the morning - or for me to wave at my neighbors from my stand as they are leaving in their vehicle down their driveway.: ) Thankfully, all of them seem to appreciate hunting, though they don't do it themselves luckily.

Anyway the deer don't seem to mind the vehicles or sometimes when I take a walk, they pay little to no attention to me until I start encroaching upon their personal space - usually when I get within 100 yards of them or so. So seeing vehicles and people and the associated smells aren't as big of an issue where I hunt. But getting close to the deer in terms of sight and smell is still a pickle, so I take all of the necessary precaustions you read about that people who hunt in the outback take, etc.

I've rambled on here but my point is, I've hunted such an environment and enjoy it. I see lots of does every year and the occassional bruisers who come through (and increase their visits during the rut). I feel a small woodlot might present just as many opportuntiies as a huge property. The key is to make sure its along a regular travel route.