Yes your allowed to use treestands on NY public lands, but you can't leave them there once you depart the public lands. In other words you have to take them in & out everytime you hunt. Although many leave them, and I've left them a few times myself. Your also not allowed to screw anything into a tree. So I use a climbing stand 99% of the time now, carry it in & out with me, and nothings screwd in. IfI happen to throw up a portable I use a climbing stick.