I've seen about a $1000 in tree damage from these things this year. One beautiful oak with a current value about $600, and a perfect sugar maple worth $300-400. I talked to the "hunter" who has the stand in the oak, and he didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I talked to the landowner and she did. Hopefully she makes him take the steps out and use a ladder, but she's near 80 and the "hunter" is a long time neighbor. The maple is on a property where the owner didn't want any nails or stands that would damage his trees. Another farmer is not allowing any hunting because he had a veneer quality oak ruined by screw ins and other trees that had nails.

Folks use your head, it's not your property, it's not your tree. If you have to use steps, put them in "soft" trees or something that is not of lumber quality.