RE: Public Land
if you want to have success on public lands here are my suggestions:
1)find areas that hold LOTS of public land, this will increase your odds. Start here first, then after you utalize the following tips go and find smaller pieces of land (NF, BLM, State, etc) and apply the same tactics.
2)scout way before season, during season, and at the end of season. if your not in the woods you won't know where the deer are and like to be
3)get away.....go......farther then everyone else......get away from roads and stay away from ATV users
4)hunt SLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you are going to still hunt.......
if not use spot and stalk......if not either, tree stands will be good........remember WIND is a KEY (like anywhere else, but on public land my 2 cents say it is magnified ten fold)...so if in a tree stand, or any other method make sure the WIND is right. If you want to kill something this is a MUST.
good luck and welcome to the world of Public Land Hunting!