Sorry, that stinks.
I was close to closing on a good property too, a few years ago. Spot nearby a spot I had access to but lost due to the property owner passing. Never even took a buck there actually, but had close encounters with a few really good ones. I was especially conservative with my shot selection due to the neighbor being a bit of a mad hatter, and it surely cost me.
Ultimately, sale to me didn't work out, and the guy who got it shot a huge buck right out of the gate. Felt a little like salt in the wound, but hey, good for him. Seems I just can't buy a buck, lol.
I'm fine with hunting public. Actually, I like the freedom of it. But, it's just longer drives for me and something a bit closer would be convenient for more time in the woods. 30 years ago private was pretty accessible to about any hunter in my area...no longer.
I used to think undesirable hunter-hunter scenarios was an isolated public thing, which made me want my own slice. But more and more, it seems the big buck craze has made private land ownership a battleground in desirable deer areas...and public.
More and more, I'd rather just enjoy my hunts than be in on the hotly contested "big buck" spots.