The best way to scout is early and walk the area you' ll be hunting to become familar with it and different aspects to deer movement. I like to scout when shed hunting as my base, then walk trails looking for funnels, draws, routes, rubs, food/water, etc. Once summer has arrived I like to scout from a distance, watching what, where and who' s feeding...I look for how they enter, time, etc. I agree your best bet is to set up inbetween where they are going and coming from. As you become fimilar with deer movement in the area, your scouting can be more pine point. But basically good old fashion walking, looking and studing is the key.