Gosh, I've been a lurker here for many many years too.....always loved this forum.

From my experience hunting in upstate NY, primarily in 4W and 3M with a host of other areas as well, unless you have a really large tract of private land or trek way into the back woods where most wont go, then the mere existence of all the hunters in the woods, plus the all the shooting will immediately cause deer to shift their natural patterns. After opening weekend, some areas will settle back down.

I was always the fanatical scent safe guy in our camp who paid ridiculous attention to detail. But as you mention, when guns start a blazing, sometimes luck is what will lead to a deer rather than all other routines we would go through.

Good woodsmanship, studying the land, practicing safety, being scent conscious and more, will to me always be a part of my regimen. So keep on doing all the good things you're doing and that with a little bit of luck, will soon pay off for you....

PS - I bet there are more lurkers than members who visit this and other forums.....