When I hunt public land I have two tactics

I find a nice funnel 50-100 yds off the road, think about how many time you have seen a big buck close to a road

I go in past 300 yds and find a funnel between where they bed and eat. I firmly believe in high pressure public land there is a no go zone for older deer. 150-300 yds off the road is the zone I try to geton either side of.