c903,
You are 100% about what I was doing last year. I was hunting 1 area at about the same time. I think I ruined it for myself. I was so eager to get a deer in my first season I was burnt out before the rut even hit.

This year is different. The area I saw a ton of sign during the rut last year has remained untouched this year. I haven' t been out there yet this year. I have also added two other areas and sometimes go in the morning sometimes in the evening.

I have switched to a new chainless tree stand and have worked on my ability to put it up very quietly.

My buddy may not see Deer quite 80% of the time but he is very good. He has 36 bow kills to his record and he doesn' t just shoot everything that comes along, he shoots quality.