Im sure we have all had those frustrations and encounters. As well, we have probably done it to others not even having a clue that someone was already there. Many years back, I put a stalk on a buck that I glassed up, got with in about 100 yards of where I thought he was, went to peak up to see if he was still there and... I got the holy living crap scared out of me, when a guy in a tree stand said, "hey kid hes already gone!" The guy had been sitting there for a couple of days and had too patterned the buck or bucks and was just waiting for the right moment. He was an older gentlemen and did not get mad as we just came to some mental agreement that it was public land.
The worst thing that happen to me: I was actually about 300 yards from a buck during archery trying to figure out what was the next step when I heard a frickin quad coming up the basin! I was thinking you have to be kidding me, but apparently he saw the buck too and decided to just drive up to it? To my suprise he drove within what it looked like to be only 60 or 70 yards, the guy stops jump off with bow in hand, draws. This is no joke, the buck jumps up stands broadside like what the hell>??? I see the guy shoot but he misses, buck runs off.
It still amazes me, so each have their own way of stalking I guess.
Your last comment about stalking in an open meadow. Did it! The wind was in my face and the buck was bedded facing about a 90 degree to the wind. I crawled, walked on all fours, sometimes walking bent over, what ever I could do. Got with in 40 yards, drew my bow and whistled cuz it was the only thing I could think of. The buck just turned his head full alert!! It seemed like a frickin eternity. He jumped up took 2 steps and stopped, his next 20 steps were his last! So it can be done, with a little luck.
Public land is tough, especially here in Kali with all these people, use them to your advantage it works. Hope this helps and hang in there.
