Need help on how to move into a feeding area

So I did some scouting on a public land place I hunted last year. I did not hunt it early season last year so I am changing my game. I found a NICE spot with some oaks that are dropping nuts, and TONS of dry, semi old, fresh, and VERY fresh droppings. BUT I cannot locate the bedding grounds. I know with how hot it has been they are most likely feeding here at night. I am planning on going up to the spot friday mid afternoon and setting up the stand and maybe sitting in it all evening. Maybe I can catch where they are coming from. But here is my issue. If I set up wrong mid friday... and catch where they are really coming from Friday evening.. I risk getting busted moving out of the stand Friday night, and if so will they return the next day? Or if I do not get busted should I re-set up my stand right then after dark, or wait till around 4am and set up. Without a game camera there I cannot tell what time they are coming from or where.

I just don't want to risk jumping the deer from that spook and not returning.

Also I am new to deer hunting as far as patterns ect.

Thanks all!

Are you using a tree stand? If so, go up at least 25 feet for your initial scouting and you probably won't be busted. If this is one of the three east Texas national forests, bedding and feeding areas are difficult to locate because they can basically bed and feed anywhere and everywhere.

You best bet IMO is to set up with the wind direction being the biggest factor, set up wrong and you wont see them anyway. Getting up high as Postoak said, can help a lot, if you have trees that allow that.

I will be up in the davy crockett national forest area. My stand I have goes up 14 feet. So Should I not even attempt to scout them in the stand on Friday? Instead maybe just set up and wish for the best on Saturday. And learn from there for the next weekend?

That is what I would do, set up on the North side with the wind in you face as much as possible. When I am hunting, I am always "scouting and learning". If deer do come in, you will have the info you need to adjust what you game plan for next time should be, you will also have an Idea by then what tree you want to be in, considering wind direction.

Great information guys. At least I have a little more of an idea of how to move into the area. I will initially be walking in from the South. So I will circle around to the East (away from the water supply, in case they are bedding between the water and food source) Then I will cominto the spot from the North or with the wind in my Face.

Thanks a lot!

Go as early as possible since the area is new to you and don't think the deer wont know you are coming in, just assume they do. Should have some time to let things settle down.

Agreed.. I know the area just not this new spot as it is more of a feeding ground I am hunting instead of a rut travel area.