First off, welcome to the boards and the woods. There are a lot of skilled hunters here that can help you. Read the posts especially the recovery thread, at page top and enjoy what will become your new passion.

As for ethics of hunting public land, thats a tricky one. You hope that the hunters you run into respect a buffer zone, but there are no guarentees. Like you, I would have tried to get his attention and hope he moved on. If he fails to do so, you have to assess where the deer movement is most likely to occur. If the deer will most likely get to you before him stay put and hope he uses scent control and stays still.

On the other hand during gun season, I hunt public land and have a spot that I am in every year on opening day. I have been in that spot for 20 some years. Most who hunt that mountain know me and where i'll be. I arrive very early ahead of any others. If someone comes close and doesn't move on when I wave a flashlight at them. I just stay put. I know most times they will get antsy and move on after light breaks.

So I guess on public land you hope for sportsman to be respectful of your space, but you can't make them be.