If it's been over 30 years, it would be a good idea to get out as much as you can this summer to look around. There are not as many deer now as there was 30 years ago, in most public places. Places that held deer in the past may or may not have deer now.
Burns, fresh logging cuts (if you can find any) are a good clue. In the last 30 years the number of archery hunters has skyrocketed. Add to that the number of quads, and just about every good habitat area is hit hard during archery season. In other words, by the time rifle season opens, a lot of bucks are killed or have turned nocturnal. If you see deer driving around in July don't expect to see them come rifle season.
If you can find a spot this summer away from the beaten path you'll have an advantage.
If it's been over 30 years you're probably over 50. (just a guess). It's hard to get out in the summer heat and scout the older you get. But you do need to find areas that have deer in sufficent numbers to up your odds. There are no longer places that produce year after year after year,(in my observation) so you're not that far behind the rest of us. Wilderness areas are the exception, of course.
Blacktails are blacktails. That has not changed much. If you're out there and he decides to move you got a chance. So stay alert at all times. Luck is a wonderful thing.
Eel