funny..u r right..the ground was hard and still is. i hunt swamps..and that is it. my feeling is..that is only place where a deer can appear that NO one has ever seen...ever. u have that chance. last year was pretty good in the swamps, but u must know the lay of the land and how the deer move. it's actually fun and u think.
PERSIMMONS in the swamps r the ticket,,,through NOV the deer key on them...find a nice row and they will show at one point.

last year i arrived at my spot...it has 5 persimmon trees in a row. i opened my back pack...popped up my montana doe decoy...placed it in the ground..walked to my spot(not far) and picked up my bow..i looked up and here was a BUCK already...coming to the trees..for the fruit he ducked in and i was ready for him to exit. i ranged it at 72yds..i have shot out to 65. he came out...spotted the decoy and did a BOB and WEAVE with his head. sniffed the air...made me out and got out of there, but that is the power on the persimmon..that was exact time the buck came to the trees in the daylight...11am..and it was warm out.