Terasac makes a great point about water sources. Last couple of years where I hunt it has been unusually dry pretty much year round, with the winter rainfall very much less than "normal". For all the years before these two there has been plenty of rain and the creeks were almost always running ... even some of the small drainage creeks. In one of these larger creeks, I have seen ducks and otters cruising and feeding in past years. This 6' wide 6' deep creek bed was essentially a damp bottomed ditch with a few pot hles here and there. None of the small ones had sqaut for water.

There is one huge creek along the northern end of the property. Walls are 20' in places and 75 yards wide. It was very weak, but flowing.

Im am hardeheaded sometimes and it took me too give up on my usual haunts despite a very good acorn crop in these areas. I moved to that creek. And bingo ... lots of the deer were hanging closer to that big creek. Heavy trails. Obvious browsing, poop piles, etdc. So when I finally started hunting along the southern area of that creek bed, my luck changed.

So ... may be a similar case up your way too. I'd scout now for creek crossings and see if you can find good fresh sign. Good luck and hope you have a great season.