Depends on the public land. I have hunted the national forest in VA before and done extremely well. My goal is to find the place where others arent! I scout it on the ground and with topos and aerials.

1shotkill1993 says the public land in va is full dumbies is kinda crazy, everytime i have gone I never see anyone. Also, if his friends are walking to stands, there breaking the law, no stands are allowed on public land in va, only portable stands you must bring in with you and take out everytime.

The best trick i have learned about hunting public land is to find the hardest and farthest spot to get to and go there, once the others start shooting close to the roads those deer will know where to go. I usually go to a spot in the late season once or twice on public land and it is stacked with deer cause its impossible to get too, i have to take a canoe down river or walk 8 miles, as soon as i enter that bowl i see deer everywhere soo its worth it.