Shoulda scouted more than one area. Several years ago I had to start hunting public land and they only gave the weekend prior to the opener for people to scout. I had to find a place where others had been hunting for years. I didn't want to just jump in someones "spot" so I took some areas that didn't have much sign, and the following year, I had made friends and was able to hunt the prime spots.

Just go and find a spot where others aren't at. Be nice to others and make friends. ask them "where they are so you won't hunt at the same place". By the next year if you are friends with them they will "let" you in their spots.