bow_huntr,
I'll walk around a wooded area, if possible to see where they're coming in and out at and from there (if possible) decide if it's a feeding area, bedding area or if they're just passing through.

If I need more info as to the time of day that they're traveling a trail, I use cotton thread to "string" the area. It's cheaper than a trail cam and draws no attention.
For good visibility I'll use a spool of orange colored cotton thread: Take about a 3' or 4' piece of thread, tie it to something solid on one side of the trail and tie the other end to something that will tear (a leaf, small stem). When a deer passes through the trail it will break the string and it will be laying on the ground in the direction the deer was traveling.

The only problem (if you want to call it that) is you won't know exactly what time of day or night the deer passed by. However, if you're hunting that area everyday you'll get a better idea. I don't really need to know the exact time, I just want to know the direction of travel. This will tell me which way they're headed and why.

I hunt as close to a bedding area as possible....without spooking them. I've always found morning hunts to be the best. Deer seem to be less alert in the morning.

If all else fails, food...always locate the food sources. All deer have to eat.

Good hunting, Bowhunter57