I learned how to hunt many years ago just like you. Boots on the ground and going out looking for sign. Many times it was on public land or publicly accessible land. Then you set up and see what you can see and adjust from there. Lots of good hunts came from that.

As time has gone on I have started incorporating trail cams into my scouting and do bait at my camera sites to make sure I get good pictures. As GMMAT said this is more for finding out what deer are on the property and doesn't really tell me anything about how or where to hunt. You have to have done your homework in advance to know where to put the camera in the first place because even with food out if it is not where the deer are they won't eat it.

I enjoy checking the trail cameras and using them as a tool. I know that even though I get some deer on the camera there are others that I either did not get or avoided the camera because they are old and smart. When I see one of those deer it is always a great surprise just as it was seeing what was out there before trail cams existed.

Bait and food plots and trail cameras and everything else are just tools of the hunt. They don't replace having your butt in the stand and putting in the hours for that split second opportunity.