I hunt in Missouri & Ohio. In Missouri I hunt public land, havent had a problem with thieves or seen signs of poachers. I lock all my stands, and remove them after the hunt.

In Ohio its another story. 3 locked Stands have been stolen in the last 5 years. Constant trespassers hanging stands on our private property, riding four wheelers, stealing salt blocks. I have found this year alone 7 dead deer with gun holes in them before gun season. 5 of them were bucks, the antlers have been cut off.

Two years ago my father and I caught a 16 year old in a stand on our Ohio land, and called the game warden to get a message. Then called the Sheriff ( we were standing right below the hunter at this point), which the sheriff (meigs county) wouldnt do anything.

The problem I have is with the law enforcement (Meigs County Sheriff) not helping out. The sheriff is a joke in our county, yet the guys from ODNR are some hard working dudes. They caught two men shining deer on our land this year. Kudos to them.

My advise is Lock stands and remove them when not in use, put up good fences and gates, post signs, post signs, post signs, and plant pine trees next to the roads along the property to stop poaching.