Welcome to the site.
I drive 30 miles to hunt a public hunting area .It has a lot of pressure. I purposely started archery hunting to give me more scouting time. I'm in my 5th year of public land and here are a few things I've picked up...
1. Get away from the other hunters..I start scouting after I'm at least 800 paces off the main trail.
2. Try and find some acorn trees., a water source, deer dropplings and busy trails.,,last years rubs..
3. Pull up
Goggle World and look for funnels , ridges, farms that border the areaetc.
4. Be early at the gate. Most of the pros are first and sometimes they talk too much. Have a teachable spirit..and many will slip up and tell you some secrets.
5. Learn the other food plants in the area besides the acorns.
God bless,
C7
6.