I have multiple stands on public land, one is a ladder. NH laws allow this, but they have to be removed by Jan 1. It comes with the assumption that that spot is not "yours". You also have to be prepared to show up and have someone in your ladder stand. Now what?

knock on wood, but I've never lost anything on public land and my stands are out from labor day weekend through Christmas. Most are locked to the tree with a cable, but some aren't. I've also gone to climbing ladders, not steps so it's trivial for someone to get up to the stand and take/use it.

It's all a gamble.