Finding spots now is a good idea as some deer may go back to early season patterns. Leaving your stands out until next year puts undue wear on them and puts them at greater risk of being stolen, so it is usually best to bring them in to maintain/repair them and have your spots picked out for next year. If you use screw-in steps, go ahead and leave those out. To me, putting those things in the trees is the hardest part about putting a stand up. If you do that though...don't ever plan on getting them out of the tree again!