Seeing deer and rutting signs (rubs/scrapes) I've noticed also increases with your skill/practice/time in the woods. If you put in the time to really learn how to read the signs and pattern the deer you'll see a lot more. I'venoticed since I started hunting 3 years ago I see a lot more this year then the first and more then the second year as well. Probably the only reason I saw any deer the first year was a combination of luck and the fact that I had my brother-in-law who had lots of hunting experience to help me out. I got my stand position picked out this year in what I thought was a good spot and seemed to be not bad placementjust off of a trail that was between what seemed to be bedding areas and some grazing areas. I saw deer out ofmy stand3 hunting days in a row very early, unfortunately they were always behind the stand where I couldn't shoot. I noticed they were coming by really early too. So what did I do? For starters I made sure I was in the woods and to my stand well before daylight, and also the next time out I brought my climber and set up about 30 yards from my permanent stand right behind it facing the other way, and I see tons of deer that day (and to be honest I wouldn't have probably seen any of them from my other stand). I was even able to harvest my first bow killed deer ever that day. It is amazing what 30 yards distance and facing the other way can do. If I hadn't been in my other stand those 3 days though, or checking the deer signs I would have never been able to put myself in that position to see and take that deer though. I by no means claim to be a better hunter then anyone and I've sat many a day seeing nothing, but my point is deer are out there the better you can educate yourself as to their ways you might improve your chances of seeing deer. Also remember those days you don't see anything you can take away a lesson from too, on those day you know where the deer aren't traveling.