I check my stands a couple weeks before each season each year. I check the straps, the stand, the screw ins or sticks, trim my shooting lanes, clear my path etc etc. It should be routine for every hunter. That stand and the steps to get to the stand is what keeps you safe as long as you take care of it. And like you said some hunters will sabotage you. 2 years ago a friend of mine and me had problems with a local hunter and he actually took my friends screw ins out..drilled the holes bigger and put them back in and when my friend was climbing it the first couple were tight but when he was half way up the tree one of them just fell right out and he fell and has had 3 surgeries on his ankle since then and has pain everyday and a gimp now. needless to say we took care of the problem but people are crazy and you cant trust anyone. Always check your stuff.