I've hunted public land with good success on putting meat in the freezer, not a rack on the wall. So, based on that, here's what I do:

- think like other hunters. Which is usually "where is the hardest place to go and I'll be there". Reason? Because they think they are outdoing other hunters. Now avoid them.
- now take a look at the surrounding area (outer boundaries) and try to figure out if it's a popular place for deer. You may find a travel route in the public land
- third: I've seen more deer near the "public land" parking lot vs goig back as far as I can "to outdo the other guy".
- now that you go fairly close to parking spots, and alot of folks go as far as they can, now you just need to first in, last out.