Where I live it's hunting a water hole. Why? There's water every where. Deer don't have to travel to get water in my hunting area's .

Another is white acorns it seems like by the time our archery season kicks in the have fallen and been gobbled up.

For us, it is the white oaks. When they hit on our property they hit everywhere and it is tough to get on the right oak flat when there are 10 others that are all getting activity. I would love to have 1 season when only 1 flat is hitting it becomes easier to pattern. Also, like you, water. We have creeks as borders on 2 sides of the property.

Rattling. In my hunting spots it rarely works, especially on the river-bottom land. I have had more success in the open-prairie lands, but in my spots rattling is over-rated, even though Kansas is known for rattling being successful.

For me it's hunting fields or any open areas. Deer are very seldom seen in open areas when seasons are in. As far as seeing bucks out in a field, forget it. I laugh when I watch videos of big bucks taken in a wide open field during daylight.

I am always looking for the 8 foot fence in the background of thos videos.

Yea, did you ever notice how many times the buck will look directly at the camera several times and go right back to feeding? In the woods where I hunt, if a buck sees you once he is gone first and not around to ask questions later.

I'd also have to say rattling isn't very productive here.

ratttling in Pa just seems to scare them most the time.these deer are sissys ,dont want to fight

Decoys... Seems like we have too many noisey does!!! A noisey does is a snorting doe!!!

Here, if you think that a spot is an excellent area and a lot of deer travel it, chances are you won't see a deer. On the other hand try hunting the worst spot you can find and you'll kill a nice buck. Usually works out that way for some reason.