"tell me about tree stands "

Based on my experience, you can get really cold sitting in them! LOL

Treestand hunting is really common in where I am in VA. Personally, I don't have the patience to sit in one hour after hour. I'd rather still hunt or set up on the ground watching a crossing for a bit and then moving on. That being said, the location is important since you are waiting for the deer to come to you. Wind direction is important so stands have to be easy to move to accommodate it. if I was looking for one I'd want it as light and as simple as possible to make it easier to move. A climber makes the most sense to me but I know guys that have several permanent type treestands that they can move to depending on wind and deer movement.

I wouldn't want to leave a permanent stand up on public ground though. That is asking someone to steal it. Climbers eliminate that threat.