My mistake. I was referring to "state park" land,not all public land. Never the less, leaving a stand for an extended period of time on any public land is nothing short of "staking your claim" whichcan lead to conflict when two hunters wind up in the same spot. OnANY public land, it's first come, first served. That's the only fair way.
As far as "taking a chill pill" goes,anybody who knowingly leaves a stand in the woods whenit's against policy does indeed deserve to have it stolen. In fact, on the state land that I hunt, if you leave a stand in the woods, the DCNR guys will take it if they find it.They do this for thepurpose of avoiding the possible conflict I mentioned before.
On public land, the further in the better. Hunt where othersare too lazy to go. I like not seeing other hunters, and I like hunting undisturbed deer.