On public ground, other hunters can't take your spot as "their own". Public is public. Whoever gets there first is there. If you bump into another hunter, be courteous and get out of their way. If someone else moves into your position and sets up, either they didn't see you or they're being rude and inconsiderate. Your choices are: 1. ignore them 2. go talk to them 3. bail.

As for scouting, if you're using bait it doesn't require much scouting. Just look for an area with good cover anddeer sign, figure out a stand site and hunt. I wouldn't go over a couple hundred yards from the car, and I would recommend scattering the bait a little bit. Having said that, I wouldn't recommend baiting. In most areas of the country, deer are abundant enough and active enough to get one without baiting. Thousands of bowhunters do it every year. Baiting tends to make deer go nocturnal, and to travel less. Also, they are on high alert when approaching bait, which makes them difficult to kill with a bow.

On public land, you have to be very patient, persistent, skilled and lucky to get a deer with a bow.I think your effort isat least asimportant as your location.