Where I hunt, I a typical2.5 month season goes like this:

20-25"sits" morning or evening
5-10 deer seen per season
2-4 in bow range per season.

Last year, I saw one buck all season long, and I shot him. It was a 1.5 year old 7 point.

I see a deer every 3 to 4 hunts on average. I'd say every 8 to 10 hunts I get a deer in bow range.

That being said, I've managed to take 5 whitetails in the last three years with my bow under these conditions. You pretty much have to take advantage of every shot opportunity you get, regardless of age or sex of the deer. It's tough hunting, but I get "buck fever" every time I see a deer, even if it's a fawn because it just doesn't happen that much.

The funny thing is when I went to Illinois, and I expected to see lots of deer, I didn't get nearly as excited seeing them because that's what I expected. So there's a good side to not seeing alot of deer. You get more excitement out of the encounters that you do have.