One other thing... if the deer are pressured hard which it sounds like in your case. Hunt farther in. Find the thickest, nastiest places that are over looked by others. Hunt all day if possible. Look for escape routes going into these places and hunt them when they deer first start feeling the pressure of other hunters.

Once the deer are really pressured... hunt the thick, nasty places themselves. All day hunts again are best if possible. The more you move in and out of these spots, the greater the chance to wreck them. The deer will move to other areas.

Best bet...

Scout right after hunting season is overin these thick nasty places. Learn as much as you can... food sources, water, trails, beds, rubs, scrapesand so on. You are not worried about scaring the deer at this time, which you will. You are on a mission to learn what these areas have to offer the next year. Look for places to get in these placeswith wind direction in mind to get in unscented. Also to get in unseen. Find likely spots to hang stands or use climber, blinds or natural blinds. You will get a jump start on where to be the following year once the deer are pressured. Don't hunt these areas until the deer are pressured!!!!!! It is a saftey haven for the deer under pressure. Don't wreck it by hunting it too early. Deer tend to follow the same patterns year after year... especially older bucks under pressure. You need to learn when, where and why to capitalize. Scouting will teach you this and make you a better hunter.

It is tough hunting but that much more rewarding when you are successful.

Tim