And to think, this is fellow hunters taking stands. That alone boils my blood. I've been fortunate enough not to have a stand stolen. Each time I go to my stands and see them still there I still feel relieved. I hunt private ground and have exclusiveness to the area however, it wouldn't be the first time I had to "ask" someone to leave the property. I think it's a matter of time and I'll wear out some tires looking for the theif.
I can't tell you how many stands I've stumbled across while hunting other mutual properties and it's never crossed my mind to steal the stand. What a low life.
With the exception of not having a stand stolen, I agree with everything Rob wrote. I unfortunately experienced this sickening feeling last November...
My last trip to Bass Pro, I found that they sell rubber-coated Masterlocks all keyed alike in three packs fairly cheaply, as well as the steel cables which go along with them. At least it would force someone to really put a lot of work into it, and probably come back a second time carrying bolt cutters to getthe stand.
I feel, like Rob, it's probably other hunters (most assuredly it is) that are just moving through the area and take the opportunity that's presented on their initial pass-through. I was really ticked last time because I had some of those really expensive Cranford steps which can be removed and leave the lag bolt in the tree. No one got any of those, but it meant someone had to have had a climber with them to go up and get my hang-on stand, which absolutely verifies that it was another hunter!!!! Scumbag.