unfortunately public land is where i am forced to hunt. deer leases in my area go for $5,000.00 to $8,000.00 a year. poor guy like me can't afford that. most important thing with management area's is to scout well ahead of the season and try to hunt where no one else will (swamps with lotsa skeeters). only draw back is most management area's, atleast around here, practice no qdm. bucks never get a chance to age. there are exceptions but mature bucks are few and far between.