Seize public land we're told, and forest creatures (10)
I believe the answer is:
commandeer
'seize public land' is the definition.
'commandeer' can be an answer for 'seize' (commandeering is a kind of seizing). I'm unsure of the 'public land' bit.
'we're told and forest creatures' is the wordplay.
'we're told' becomes 'comma' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'and' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and').
'forest creatures' becomes 'deer' (deer may live in forest).
'comma'+'n'+'deer'='COMMANDEER'
(Other definitions for commandeer that I've seen before include "requisition" , "Appropriate" , "Take by force" , "Confiscate" , "Take control of for military purposes" .)