Not to be judgmental without knowing what Your Hunting procedures are...but I would try to make sure to be as Scent-free as possible,wash all Your cloths in scent-free detergent,dry them ouside or use the H.S. earth scented dryer sheets,take a shower in scent-free soap before going out to Hunt and wear rubber boots and spray down with scent-killer spray....keep all Your gear outside in a plastic tub and don't go to Town and pump gas or cook with same gear inside Your House or Cabin...lots of things that could keep the Deer away or have them smell You before You even step into where Your actually Hunting them?Even if You go out and just check Your trail camera's You need to be Scent-Free...if You leave Your scent there they know your Hunting them and educating them to stay away or come in only at night.

Hunt becasue You love the outdoors and in memory of Your lost Friend,I'm sure he would have wanted You to enjoy life and remember the good times You spent together.Learn to be a better/wiser Hunter and tag a nice Buck in Memory of Him!


As mentioned earlier....plant a nice food plot,put out a salt and/or mineral lick if the law allows You in Indiana...make Your Hunting area better for the Deer so they will come in to it,leave a small area untouched where no one walks in there unless to retrieve a Deer to use as a Sanctuary for the Deer to bed down on.

If that track is indeed a Mountain Lion/Cougar thats what could be keeping the deer away or thinning them out?