When I go to a new area I walk over it first to look for deer trails, food sources and bedding areas. After the initial look see I start what I call scout hunting, I set up and watch, often several days under different conditions. Doing this I might hear deer on across the hollow that never come my way, at which point I move my scout/hunt location to get closer to the action.
One thing to remember is your best chance to kill a deer in a location is the first time you sit it, after you go there once your scent is there and and your chances diminish. For this reason find a number of possible stand locations and rotated them. Unless you are on a really hot food source it is best not to go back to a place for two weeks or so.
Above all, play the wind and walk in to your area as quietly as you can. If you set up a treestand do it in slow motivation and don't clank anything, deer flee from unnatural sounds.
