I hunt 100 percent public land.I use a compass ,small pruning shears& a pair of binos.Start by identifying the food sources.Then follow the trails that run between bedding and the food sources.Check funnels,any edge cover you can find.I key on the edges that get the most sunlight.I also really like big oak flats.When you check the bedding areas keep in mind if the deer hav,nt shed yet you might bump them and never find his antlers.Once you start looking and find 1 or 2 you should start to put a pattern together.the best thing about shed hunting on public land is it is a great scouting tool.In over 30 years of shed hunting from georgia to pennsylvania shed hunting is directly responsible for most of the bucks and does I have harvested.Bottom line even if you dont find a shed you will still have learned your area better and that cant hurt.