Doesn't sound like a dead area. With the water and all the food in the area there will deffinately be deer there. Also seeing tracks sounds like pretty good sign to me. I have seen some bruisers on our land along with a bunch of doe but I too don't see any deer droppings either. However, I know they are there because I got them on film. Basically find a well used trail either crossing the stream or in a funnell leading to s food area and put some time in. Enough evening hunts and you should catch them going to feed. Good luck.