I always lock mine to the tree and remove the bottom section of the ladder when I will not be hunting for a while. As for what to do when you find him, find his vehicle after he goes into the woods, flatten all 4 tires, bust out every light, (if diesel, pour gas into his tank), and last but not least, take a shoot on his hood! Or you could call the local game warden, which all my stand have my name and # etched into them in a hidden spot.