Don't believe everything you see on tv.They can edit what they want.In the real deer woods they are alot more alert and pressured.
As far as setting up along a stream or gully if there seems to be a funnel area or a main trail where they cross it could be a good spot.I would be careful in a gully alot of times they end up at eye level when you are in a tree stand and they are traveling up the gully towards you.I would try a feeding area or path leading to a feeding area.