Deer sightings vs lack of good sign

[mheichelbech]

So I've been to a new public spot 2x time. Both times I saw 5 or 6 deer in the same general area. Oddly, I don't see a lot of really good sign...none of the trails look heavily used. Do you all believe that visual sightings of deer would trump lack of really good sign? When hunting an unfamiliar area that is say 45 mins to an hour away, what level of sign do you need to see before it makes you think it's worth the effort to drive there...especially if your main goal is mature buck? Do you need to confirm with large rubs in the area before you would spend more time? It seems like it should be a good spot for mature buck....strategically, it sets up well...near agriculture, probably doesn't get a lot of bow pressure but may get a lot of gun pressure..

[gjs4]

The older I get, the more i care about what i physically see them doing (or cam pics i guess...sorta....) than what i assume or could assemble from pieces.

[dan]

Do you all believe that visual sightings of deer would trump lack of really good sign?

If the deer your visually seeing are shooters, then yes. Sightings trump. If your just talking deer, no.

Gotta treat deer, and mature bucks like two different animals.