Hunting Public Land

I'm fairly new to deer hunting, but I am an experienced hunter. I don't have access to private hunting land, but there is plenty of public land available. I learned a lot last year and I plan to do a few things differently. I also want some suggestions. What do you do to improve your chances of success on public land? Do you feel that tree stands are safe on public land during gun season?

Taking the week off
Last year I hunted the weekends of deer season. I also had 2 days off in the middle of the week during the season. I saw one doe on the first day. This year, I burned a whole week of vacation just to go deer hunting.

Find somewhere off the beaten path
Last year I got up extremely early and hiked between 1 to 2 miles into an area that is not easily accessible. I arrived at my spot an hour before hunting started. I still had people walk right by me on the way through the woods. On two of the weekend days, I had gangs of hunters walk right over me doing deer drives. This year I have got to find some privacy in the woods. There are huge National Forests in Ohio, but I have always heard that deer are creatures of the forest edge. Do you have any success hunting deep inside a large forest?

Scouting
I have been trying to visit new wildlife areas this year. I have been to five different counties so far this year. I want to expand my options as well as look for deer sign while I am out squirrel hunting.

Hanging hunting clothes outside
I think I'll try it this year. Last year I wasn't crazy about the idea of stepping outside to grab clothes that are 30-some degrees. There's something I don't understand. How do you do this when you hunt 7 days straight? I mean, when you add up hunting time and drive time, I have 13 hours eaten up already. Do you wash your clothes every night and hang them out to dry? After you've worn the clothes 1 day, what is the point?