Stand theft

The spot is good

And the question is...




Seriously, it'll break down to whether hunting prime habitat at prime time is worth loosing a tree stand you apparently are already considering replacing.  The area I hunt that I would describe as comparable has been vandalized quite alot in recent years.  Multiple tree stands stolen as well as nearby garages broken into.  If your area is stable, I'd go for it.  You may become the sacrificial lamb, but you can do something to avoid that.  Make it as difficult as humanly possible for would-be thieves without harming the tree, unless you have permission to so.  Good luck.

I usually have 7-8 portables out from Sept through Nov and have only lost 3 in nearly 40 years. I do try to make it difficult by removing steps etc and lately Have been locking some folded up because a couple fellows have been taking in their own steps and using my stand.

Ill tell you how weiry i am of it. I put out a ladder, brand new last year. I was so paranoid I took it down after a week and I sold it this summer at my yard sale. Ill stick with my summit climber, its extra work but its not worth having someone rip you off, be in your stand... hell even know that your hunting that area. Im inclined to belive that when people see new stands setup, they know the homework is done and deer are coming through that area, which is why they get in them.

In fact, the day that stand came out of the woods was the day I bought the summit. Now I wouldnt hunt out of anything else, spend the extra money and buy a summit climber, they are worth the weight in gold. They pack nice, their QUIET, they dont **** up trees... and someone would have a pretty tough time stealing them. Ive left stands in the woods overnight, but only when I know for a fact Im coming back the next morning.

Well, I would leave the stand up there so as not to disturb the deer going in and out.  It's a pretty good climb (uphill) to get to the area, plus crossing a small creek.  The few other hunters we've seen in the area seem to approach from the other side of the hill (where we dont have permission).
I have a lone wolf climber that I love.  The only thing that would be easier is hiking up to that ladder stand that I placed there previously.  I have a cable lock, which I will use but I think any lock can be defeated given enough time.

Oh yea and in my opinion a shot at a nice buck is worth any stand I own.....

Dane -- Sounds like you should be fine based on the past experience there?
 
I hang stands when I have to walk further than a mile.  I let two lay as well.  Public land.
 
If you find them, congratulations.  I cannot and will not get so sweated up to the point I get cold in one hour.

I had a good climber stolen from private, posted property that was chained and locked to the tree. Someone really wanted that stand bad. My son also had a climber stolen almost from under his nose. It was raining and cold so about noon he left his stand and walked back to his truck for some lunch and to warm up and dry out - gone about and hour and a half. When he returned to the woods the stand was gone. I also had a second one that someone tried to take but I guess they didn't have to right tools to cut the chain or lock.

We have a few lockon stands and 2 buddy stands that we put up every year on public land. It is not hidden and we haven't had any problem. Besides I am not lugging the buddy stands in and out every time we hunt that area. We lock the stands up very well. Just a small price to pay to get the big one.

My uncle bought 2 Remington ladder stands and put them side by side on a fork in a tree for hin and his daughter to hunt which is our private property. We went the week after rifle season to find 2 of the 4 straps and no stands. The closest road is 1800' away with no atv access! Lock it and hope for the best!

ORIGINAL: DanesDad

Yeah, I'm pretty confident so, I'm gonna try leaving it this year.  If I lose it, it's my tough luck.  It is private property (tho the farmer is generous with permission) and not readily accessible, so I hope to be OK.

 
If it were me, I would take my chances and put a cable and good lock on it.  But, locking things up is only protection against the "honest" people out there.  If someone wants it bad enough, they will get it.  Another option is to get one of those braided stainless steel cables that I have heard some guys using.  They are almost impossible to cut with a saw or bolt cutters.  Then, your weak link becomes your lock.
 
If you say you are only going to be using it occassionally, this is what I would do if I were in your position.   I would put a note, wrapped in a baggie on the bottom of the stand stating your name, that you have permission from so and so to have this stand here and to hunt here and, feel welcome to use this stand when I am not hunting it.  It might prevent some theft by just doing that and if you know you are going to be using it sparingly, what is the harm if someone comes across it and wants to get up in it.  Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable using someone elses set-up but I wouldn't mind someone using one of my set-ups if I knew I was going to be using it a lot. 
 
My situation is private land that is pretty much open to hunting but most of the hunting is by neighbors, etc.  I wouldn't mind them using my stuff if I wasn't there but in archery season, I am out as much as humanly possible filming and hunting.

J
 
Saw you at flyfishers tonight.  Woulda said somthing but you were talking to Steve.

Was that your girlfriend in the car? Bout knocked me over walking in? I was out in la la land, our network at work was giving us problems all week. Next time speak up **** it!

Wow thats rather funny... i bought peach estaz and blue, 100 tiemco hooks.