it should always be first come first serve on public land but its awful nice with a 50 plus pound ladder stand to leave it in the woods on occasion like before the opener or hunting the next day. i do it all the time and many would be lying if they said they never did it! not trying to justifiy this by any means but its just safer to go to my spots a day or a week before in the day light and safely put my stand up. its nice to not be huffing and puffing and all sweated up from setting up a stand first thing in the morning. putting up a stand at 4.30 in the morning in the dark is no fun and can be very dangerous! i think the majority of hunters KNOW THIS!. if i do that and someone beats me to an area or my hunting spots i would gladly move my stand or hunt another spot and it has happened. i dont own the lands but i will be honest by saying that in some cases i think i deseve my hunting spots.( i know it sounds selfish) i scout all year and especially in the late summer when the woods are all loaded with ticks and chiggers i dont see these same people when im baiting settin up my trail cameras and yes setting stands up. i have a feeling its not just because they work all the time either and cant hit the woods. its just that i feel i am more passionate about hunting. i will though help these same people in my area in any way i can. i even offer my stands and tell of some good spots to check out if they are having not so good luck. THE BOTTOM LINE IS SLOB HUNTERS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO JUSTIFY THE STEALING OF STANDS. IM SURE THE NUMBER 1 REASON REASON IS THAT THEY SHOULDNT HAVE LEFT IT. if these same people felt that strongly about the stand being left in the woods why wouldnt they just leave an ugly note or report them to a game warden! THEY WOULDNT DO THAT BECAUSE BY TAKING A TREE STAND THEY HAVE BENEFITED