Michael,

Usually the biggest difference between hunting public and private land is that on public land you often don’t know when and where other folks are hunting.  Excessive hunting pressure can make deer extremely alert and active primarily during the night.  Even on public land I still evaluate how deer are using food, cover, and water.  I try to find areas where deer are using these resources in areas where other hunters are frequenting.  

This often means walking a bit further or finding small tracts of public land that other hunters don’t frequent.  When I was in college I found a small tract of public land that was surrounded by development.  It was rarely hunted. It seemed other hunters ignored or didn’t know about this track. I had some enjoyable hunts there.

Study the maps of public land and look for tracts that other hunters don’t frequent. I’d rather hunt where there are fewer deer and fewer hunters than where there are more deer and more hunters.

Enjoy creation,

grant