I think I know the answer, but wanted opinions. There is a well traveled deer trail were I'm planning to hunt. If you were scouting, would you follow it "on" the trail? Parallel? Not near it at all?

This time of year, I'd walk right down the trail and try to absorb all I could about the habitat and animal patterns.

x2 as above, but were rubber boots to keep scent down. You might also place a few well placed game cameras in key areas i.e. bedding-transition-feeding, just to see whats traveling it. good luck!

Walking next to it is going to leave more scent behind in the vegetation. It will also be noisier.

I want my scent everywhere so they know I am around.

Look for secondary trails also. A lot of times bucks may stay off the beaten path.