The public land in our area consistantly holds some of the biggest deer in the area. Several reasons for this IMO. The terrain offers everything the deer need, the size of the land is HUGE, but very few people actuallyhunt it. The reason I often hear is "Everyone and their brother hunts the public land. Don't even waste your time going out there."[&:]

10 years ago that was true, but now if you go during the week, the lots are empty. Just a few vehicles on the weekends in early season. Most of those are gone by early November. I don't hunt there becuase I have private ground that is closer to home.