RE: how to scout?
I do all my scouting in the spring before the leaves come back. You can really see the deer sign when the trees are bare. Do some shed hunting in February too. You can find out where the bucks bed alot of times that way.
Spring turkey hunting is also a great way to scout. I found alot of old rubs this spring while turkey hunting.
Another thing I like to do is install tree steps and trim shooting lanes in the late winter / early spring before the leaves come back. Just trim your shooting lanes a little extra to account for the growth over the summer. This also lets the deer get used to the changes.