This is the only way I hunt. I carry in my climber early enough so that by the time i'm in it and settled it's an hr before daylight. If I'm hunting in the afternoon I try to get in before 2pm. Sometimes I'll set up the night before and lock it to the tree with a huge cable and lock. Another option is to buy a $30 lock on stand from Walmart and lock it to the tree and take out all the steps. If somebody steals it you're only out $30 not $250 for a new climber. I also don't use any tacks to mark my trails only GPS.