RE: What should I look for?
Yes, start w/ a good topo map and find the funnels. ie, saddles, benches, hilltop field funnels and such. Anything that will pinch down the deer movement. Then head out and though it will be tough this time of year, try to find any left over rut sign from last year. Rubs and such. Remember those places and hunt them this fall. They should be active again this year. The biggest thing on public land is to find the other hunters and do it different than they do.