could be that the deer are nocturnal in that particular area. i have hunted over by my uncle, and by the sign in the area you would swear that it was the best hunting woods ever. there are huge rubs, text book looking scrapes, droppings everywhere etc. my dad and i hunted that area hard and rarely saw a deer, and we are very careful with scent adn getting in and out quiet, etc.
especially with it being a public woods by you and there being a lot of hunting pressure, they may lay low till after dark...