The entire surrounding land is owned by a large farm. If you look at the big picure, it is a 40 acre piece in the middle of a 6000 acre piece. Although my 40 acre piece may only have 12-15 acres of woods on it, I don't think the deer know where the property lines are. They probably pretty much view it as one big expanse. I do too, especially when trying to figure out deer movement.
Agreed....and I hunt similar properties (I have access to about 225 acres, now, near the house.....that abutts 230 more (parks system)...and several hundred more acres of surrounding farms (more than a square mile of farmland).
But....my best woodlot....when it comes down to it....is about 5 acres. No shame in that. It's produced and so has yours.
Good luck this year.