I have found the best defense to hunting public land is to leave as little evidence of yourself as possible. Set up as many stands as possible (to rely on one or two on public land is a recipe for disaster).

Any mark you leave will be investigated by others - they may not hunt it - but they may mark it to discourage you.

Its a dog eat dog world out there

I mark limbed out trees I find with black tape - if a hunter uses the tree he will usually remove the tape - And I know what trees are being hunted.

Know your deer and know the hunters