Think of a bench as a park bench; a flat spot in a vertical environment. It's the same on the mountain.
Deer generally do not go from a bedding area to water or food in a direct line. Their trails will mostly parallel such areas with smaller trails cutting off to the feeding/drinking spaces. Don't follow the deer trails...you will go crazy.
Find good areas to bed....then feeding areas and water. Deer are browsers and get most of their food from buds, twigs, etc. They are not grazers first, although the do that. They eat their way wherever they go, so the whole area is probably a food source.
When looking at potential feeding areas. look for thicker areas that approach them, these areas will allow the deer more cover to and from and provide a funnel, more or less, for them. Around my hunting areas here in Pa., deer will have perimeter trails around fields, oak plots, etc., where they can wind check those areas before exploring them.
Spend time in the woods there during deer movement but not so much that you become conspicuous. You will get a feel for the travel patterns if you pay attention. Don't overthink yourself...Deer are guided by their biology...food, drink and sex drive. Of those, they do two of them almost daily....eat and drink. Early season that's what you need to focus on. Remember....they are browsers first; look for snipped buds on small saplings, and where they have eaten leaves or nuzzled acorns.
Learning to read the woods is as important as shooting the bow. Make it a learning adventure.
You don't want someone to give you all the answers....just get you walking in the direction.