Tree Rat, last season we tried to deter thieves by taking out the bottom 4 or 5 screw in steps each time we left the stand. We had 4 stand locations that we did not hunt the final 2 weeks of the bow season, when we went to take them down for the season...every step still remaining was gone from all 4 trees! The stands were still there since we had them locked in with 3/4" cables, but we have no doubt the thieves would have returned with bolt cutters. We have lost one stand and over 40 steps the past 2 seasons...on private property w/3 of the stands well off the nearest road. Don't think just because you take out a few steps that will deter thieves...that's what we thought. We now plan to use our portable sticks and pack them in/out when we hunt. It's not too bad for my brother and I, but my dad is 69 and for him to go to all this work just because of a bunch of lowlife thieves is kind of sad.

TB