If dogs are running around the deer won't be there, except maybe at night. That would explain you possibly jumping a deer going in. I don't know what the laws are in your state, but dogs running loose, possibly chasing deer is against the law here. I'd call a dog warden.
Otherwise it sounds to me your just wasting your time in that area. I'd go deeper near cover with a food source. Someplace the deer can feel secure, but still have a food source close by so they don't have to travel far. Nut tree's could be the ticket. Unfortunately that likely means you will have to walk farther!!