I have hunted nothing but public land my whole life, and i have gotten by biggest bucks within 100 yards from the road, where i hunt the hunting pressure is minimal during bow season. As the season goes on i would say go deeper.Butabove and beyond if you are hunting on public land it is very important to KNOW the woods like the back of your hand, and how the deer move in that area. This takes hours and hours of scouting and hunting. Sorry "Ilovehunting" but i very much disagree with ur post, deer live in the best possible areas for them including things like food sources and cover. those might not be the best spots to hunt if everyone is there but the deer dont totally avoid an area with people in it. I have got many deer on nights where i have seen other hunters. Just my expierences,