1. Early bird gets the worm, first come first serve.

2. Unwritten rules are don't do to other hunters what you don't want done to you. Make friends in the woods not enemies. Give other hunters there space, even if it is your honey hole refer to rule 1.

3. You will encounter some hunters that don't follow any of the rules, just avoid and ignore, fist fights and profane gestures in the woods where everyone is armed is a recipe for disaster.

4. If you encounter other hunters with downed game offer your help, you will often make friends this way, and get good advice on areas to hunt. Hunting public ground is all about knowing the area, so the more brains you can pick the better.

5. Spend a lot of off season time getting to know the area you want to hunt, get out and hike and learn the terrain and the game trails and feeding areas.

6. Try and get back into places most hunters won't or can't go. Being able to out hike your competetion can be very valuable on public ground.

7. Study topo and Google earth maps of your hunting areas looking for secluded pockets and ridges where game can hide out. Think like a deer, where would you go to avoid hunting pressure.

8. Laws may vary, but out here a tree stand or blind on public ground can be used by anyone. I never have had a problem with someone camping out in my blinds, but it could happen. I am blessed with huge amounts of public ground nearby, this could be more of an issue for those in smaller public ground areas with higher hunter density. If someone is in your spot, try talking with them and maybe offer to share the blind, refer to rule 2 and 1.

9. Try and make yourself visible to other hunters, use hunter orange. If you see other hunters that haven't seen you yet make your presence known so you don't get yourself shot. Be sure of your targets and what's behind them, don't just shoot movement, there is no excuse for shooting another hunter, none!!!!!!

I am sure there are more rules to follow, just use common sense, and if you lack that then you have no business hunting anyways.