Having just started hunting in Maryland on public land I can relate. I did my scouting and as soon as season opened, everything changed. I guess that people that have hunted these public lands for some years have a pretty good idea of what the deer are doing without going into the woods. I scouted some public land in Mont. County and didn't see any signs that anyone had been in the park. Come opening day the entire road was lined with pick-up trucks. Of course the entire summer of scouting was washed down the drain, as the number of people alone would change the patterns of the deer. I say on public land put yourself in the best possible position that you can find, invest in a tree stand and hope that luck in on you side the days afield. A side note is I have found that it is less pressured during the week. I have a pretty flexible schedule so I will work Sat or Sun so I can be in the woods on a Thurs or Fri.
Best of luck on public land. You can find some real nice deer, but luck really needs to be on your side