Why not mark bad areas with you ribbon. Or use them as a way to make the others push deer to you. Seriously public land is rough and first come first served each day. I agree with some of the others that it is first come first served but why not use the other guys to your advantage. Use some bright eyes or some ribbon but use them as markers for areas where you know that anyone walking onto them will push deer in your direction. Shell out a few bucks and go for the GPS. Going deeper into the public land is where you should have some success and then be ready when 10 am rolls around and the guys head out of the woods for lunch sit tight chances are the extra movement will generate some deer movement. Hunt all day it will only increase your odds pack a lunch and grab some just in case paper should you need it. Most folks generally won't venture out that far and chances are the deer will run or gravitate to where there is the least pressure. Only alternative is to talk to land owners and see if you can get permission on public land.

Landowner whose property we hunt on requires 8 hours of work from each member of the hunting party. He usually won't hold us to a strict clock but having 6 guys weed and mulch his flower beds really makes it look nice and saves him a ton of weeding so he is happy as a clam to let us off with only 4-5 hours each. Also we have chopped down trees for him and a few other things but you get the picture.
a few hours of work is but a small price to pay versus scouting public land and then having joe six pack come and sit at the spot you have high hopes for. Good Luck and happy hunting.