just keep in mind that deer numbers can fluctuate on a local level. as does the number of hunters in the woods. as does the effort people put into hunting from year to year. and sometimes you just don't see deer when they are there.

all of these factors can account for not seeing as many deer in year x vs. year y. we go through the same thing at our camp. for instance, last year I saw several deer (shot one) and my dad saw very few (hardly any) on the same land ; the year before it was the opposite (he got 3, I saw some but didn't get any)

no matter what - you are not guarenteed to see (percieved or actual) the same amount of deer each year