You do need the bowhunting safety course to hunt Lake Ophelia since its a federal management area.The only draw back to the place is that there is no camping but its not far from some state management areas that allows camping. I'm not sure but I think there is a pay camp ground not far from the place. You also need a $15 yearly permit to hunt or fish Lake Ophelia. I'm not sure about the stand question, because I hunt out of a climber. You can get all the info you need from Lake Ophelia's web site. Lake Ophelia is not for from Marksville.