Where we hunt, the two ways to find tracks are to walk the logging roads and look for tracks crossing or, walk the perimeter of a habitat transition. A great example where I am of this is where the overgrown clear cut borders a hemlock swamp. There is a definite trail along this border and this where you will see tracks coming in and out of each habitat.

I've tried this a couple times over the years. Mostly I hike all day and never find the deer/bear. They meander all over the place. No rhyme or reason. No pattern. Just zig-zagging wandering around for miles (literally). I was successful ONCE. There was about 3 feet of snow on the ground. I don't think the buck was in the mood to walk far. Neither was I.