It does take a while to pin down travel routes for deer inbig woods. I hunt mainly big woods that are public land as well. You can literally walk miles into the woods without seeing a field or road. I try to hunt where multiple ridgetops come together. Usually the deer are using these areas to avoid going down the steep ridge sides and through the ravines. Find an oak flat that is dropping acorns and you can guarantee the deer will be there sooner or later. Hunting new areas is tough at first because it can take a long time to figure out where the deer are traveling to and from.