If you take action against the person yourself you'll only end up in trouble with the law, and make yourself out to be worse than they are. I've had 2 stands stolen both locked up. 1st was stolen off my fathers posted land. I had a idea of who took it. I called the authorities, and they advised me although not much can do they advisedto somehow mark all your stands with a identification mark, concealedas much as possible. Then to place game cameras in the area. That way the thief can be approached & proof shown.
What I did then was go to all my neighbors in the area, and ask them if knew of anybody stealing stands or seen anything suspicious. I also informed all them this property was Posted and we were looking to prosecute,the authorities had been contacted.It was amazing how many neighbors pointed to the same person I figured had done it. Of course when I approached that person he pointed fingers to several other possible people. I really stressed to him how pissed I was, and if ever caught anyone on the property again they'd be arrested. We weren't tolerating any bullcrap anymore. Fortunately we haven't had a problem since.
My 2nd stand was stolen off public land. I put it up a couple days before season opened, and when I went in the 1st morning to hunt it,It wasgone. That two was also locked. I had no clue on that one, so I left the thief a nasty note in a baggy tied to the tree.