Hey jrbdad,

Glad to see you are getting into hunting. My first recommendation would to be get a tree stand. I haven't had much success hunting from the ground myself. I like to be up at least 25 ft up. It gives you a better view, sometimes deer can be around you and you just don't see them. My second recommendation is to target cross trails, this will double your opportunity of seeing deer, and something to consider is deer may be eating at the food plot at night due to the heavy pressure. I am not sure where you are from, but up in MN when we get heavy snow we just sit on the food source and the deer will come.

Hope this helps!
Jake

PS. I don't know what the regulations are on bases. Might have to have a climber.