RE: What would you do??
I wouldn't hang a stand there. My philosphy is: if the land holds good deer you can bet somebody is already hunting it - legal or not.
In light of that, a lock on is not a good idea. I would first make sure it is legal to hunt there. If you are good to gothen I would just hunt with a climbing stand.
It doesn't provide the convenience of a lock on,but youwon't have to worry about a lock on being stolen or vandelized when you are not there.
This sounds like itis worth pursuing. Good luck!