Sorry you had a bad hunt with your muzzleloader. After 6 seasons I have found deer to be in a summer pattern and very predictable. Movement early and late with loads and loads of deer movement in the late afternoons on alfalfa fields. I would say on average I see 30 deer per day. There has been zero pressure on the herd for 9 months so their guard is down. If you can stay scent free and movement free then hunt the wind they will walk past you at 10'yards and never know you are there.