RE: Scouting
go out now, walk runs looking to see where they go, in places with not many deer (ie NH!) follow any tracks you find, see where they go, often they will meet up with other tracks, find runs that head into oak stands or other food sites, the run will often seem to end there, probably means they are spreading out to feed. You rarely will see runs like they have in magazines.
When the heavy snow falls, you can stop scouting for sign cause the deer movements have changed, but you can get to know the area, find food sources etc. I don't scout much in the summer, around mid-end of August I start up again looking for runs, see which oaks have acorns, these places will be used in Sept when bow season starts.
--Bob