The area I hunt every year, thousands of acres, is nearly void of deer sign. There are normally deer everywhere. East TN, btw. I'm not even hearing shots. I was out all day today trying to just jump something to confirm they still exist. No rubs or scrapes either. What I DO have are Elk and lot's of elk sign, including a picture of a nice 8x8.
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Become one with nature, then marinate it.
http://www.windrockphotography.com/Fine-Art
If you tortue numbers long enough they'll tell you what you want to hear.