Never forget that ungulates live in a world of scent, just as we live in a world of sight. Pros do preseason research. If you plan on hunting a new area, you can't afford to go there blind. Spend some money on long-distance phone calls, speaking with anyone and everyone who can give you insight into the local topography, game populations, and hunter pressure. Create a file so your data is easily retrieved and studied.
Pros know that hard hunting without hard scouting in advance is worthless.
Unless you know where the game is before the hunt starts, you're skunked. Don't assume that the stand or area that worked for you last year will produce again this season. Pros don't overhunt an area. Pressured big-game animals have a nasty habit of disappearing by going nocturnal, burrowing into the nastiest cover they can find, or simply moving on. Pros can hit what they aim at.