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For public land, the setup that did me the best, is what is called "The Portable Stump." The idea was first popularized by Dr. Ken Norberg back in the 90's.

http://drnordbergondeerhunting.com/hypertext/Articles/Portable_Stump_Hunting.html


I developed my idea back in the 80's, hunting in Hocking Hills SE of Columbus, Ohio. It combined a 5-gallon bucket on a shoulder strap or backpack straps, a length of camper's cord (what we use paracord for now) and camo blind material.

When my #3 son started deer hunting on his own, he was not enthralled with sitting in a treestand. He wanted to wander more. I brought up the idea of the portable stump, and he took to it.

See

Portable Stump Hunting





I've taken deer at less than 5 yards with a bow with that kind of rig. The best thing about it is that if you practice the two knots I mention, you can have the blind set up in under 5 minutes with minimal fuss and noise. What that means is that a hunter can troll through the woods and when he finds a good spot, he's blinded in, lickety-split.

Thoughts:

1) I'm a walking landform. So are my sons. Normal camp chairs crumble under us. That's why I went with the bucket design. Norberg's idea is fine if you are of normal weight and bulk. If you're light enough, a daypack and a folding camp chair will work .
2) The shoulder strap is great for a short trek. It was also easy to do. If I was going to be roaming over longer distances, I would substitute backpack straps. Even better, I'd substitute Alice Pack Straps:



Alice straps also have a quick release that lets you drop your load quickly and silently. They're $13 a pair on Ebay.

3) The bucket has another advantage over a stool or camp chair. A bucket does not sink into soft earth, and it is more stable on uneven ground.





Versus a pop-up: I've got a pop-up. I've hunted out of it somewhat. What has me leaning towards this portable stump idea is that there is a lot less muss and fuss. With a pop-up, I'm always hesitant to get up and move, because of all the hoo-haw associated with striking and setting. You're also still left with what to bring for a seat.

My grandpa shot public land deer off an orange five gallon bucket for a long time.

I primarily still hunt now. Or will still hunt until I find a spot I like and then sit for a while. I also have a climber and a hang on if I want the stand.

-Jake

The tree saddle is your lightest/most versatile option. You can use it in any tree, with the individual steps, from ground level as a sling chair, to however high. It’s generally (depending on make) your safety harness and climbing rig, and most can be worn on the walk in. A good, versatile pack will also let you carry steps, Turkey lounger, lock on, etc. I grew up with climbers, but saddles (and evening lock ons) with the right steps, are a tossup for speed and ease, with a little practice. They’re also generally far less weight and bulk, and far less picky about trees. That’s pretty important in the dark, if you don’t have a tree already picked out for your climber.....but a good pack that will be comfortable with all that, your general hunting stuff, water, food, and safety/oh [bleep] gear is a must on public land, for me. Rigged there, and you can get >1mi from the roads that chain 99% of the other hunters down. I’ve got buddies that hunt a lot of public land with game carts with fat tires, and just pull their gear in and can easily haul a deer back out without quartering in the woods. I know others into the E-bikes for all those reasons, too.

Depends on where you hunt. As a public land hunter out west I had never seen a treestand in person before moving to the south. Now hunting public I'm in a stand 95% of the time. It's just a matter of adapting to what the land offers you. Different areas = different methods

Great points made by all. Gives me lots to think about. Thanks

I hunted public land in Missouri for about 20 yrs when I first started deer hunting and I always hunted from the ground. My tool of choice was a folding hand saw made by Gerber. I learned how to pick my spots and in short time would have a nice spot concealed by brush.

I just always liked to prepare to ground or tree hunt, as situation dictated, on public land. Clippers and hand saws are always in my kit. A good pack would even let you haul a small ground blind and chair, easily.

I grew up hunting public land (national forest, national grassland and BLM land) in CO and WY. Never bothered trying to hide. Hunted mostly spot and stalk.

I used a tree saddle about 25 years with screw ins steps. (legal), although light ,quiet not very comfortable

I lived across the street from public land in Michigan for a few years. I usually hid in my basement on opening day of gun season.

There’s so many versions and improvements on those things these days, I’m not sure how it’s possible to not find one that’s comfortable. ...and they’re all lighter and less bulky than a stand.

Doesn't Texas sound like fun.

Depends on where in TX you are. I live in Amarillo and I have a big public hunting area just north of me that doesn't require any special permits and has a good mule deer population and lots of whitetails. I hunt it a few times a season and see almost nobody else there. No blinds and no feeders like most TX hunters want. You have to hike into the canyons and glass up your game and pack it out on your back. In other words it is just like the hunting I did when I grew up in CO.

There's been too many people wounded and killed on the ground deer hunting public lands in the southeast, and based upon what I've seen, (and it's been a while since I've hunted public land) there are to many bubbas who shoot at anything that moves in the brush. The only instance of someone shot in a deer stand (that I recall) was long ago, on the Ft. Benning Reservation. Squirrel hunter shot a deer hunter in a tree, yep, as the newspaper quoted him, "I thought he was a squirrel." If I were you I'd take the lightest climbing stand you can haul, and haul it to the most remote spot (pick it out on the topo).

But the brushy areas are where you get the best sound shots