Yep, I hear you. Was a DNR employee myself from 1987-1996 and saw it all. Started bow hunting on the public ground I workedon and had stands sat in, stolen, and damaged. Had hunters sit by me, sit in my stands, smoke in my stands, piss by me, and poop by me. Main problem was once the rut hit everybody and their brother came out, and it became a free for all. Iowahas thesame law as you do in Ill. Stands can stay up allduring hunting season and anyone has the right to sit inthem. Personally, I have ethical hunting beliefs that do not agree with sitting in someone elses stand.My advise- keep "putting up" with itand search for private ground.