If you are just happy with a 2.5 year, you can almost just go in blind and assume one is in the area. You don't really need to do anything different scouting wise than what you already do. You've got to be seeing 2 year olds around aren't you? You still are going to want to seek thick stuff, out of the way places etc. Good deer places are good deer places. I've never tried the hand held spot light, but I do use spotting as a way of seeing whats in the area. You don't even have to see the deer on the property you are actually hunting to have a chance either. Terrain and small woodlot sizes allow these deer to move around a good bit.

Now where the difference comes in is your setups. NO compromise. Bad wind...go somewhere else. NO good entrance/exit. Find another spot. Stay out until late october. That is where the difference is made.