Be very careful with any hunting done on public land. I have had stands stolen, broken, tires slashed, car scratched with metal object, harassment by animal rights activist, etc. Best bet is to have an alternate site or two to go to in case it's 4:30 AM and you find your stand destroyed. I try not to leave mine in anymore, but with advanced age, the ol' back can't take dragging them in and out. A climbing stand is also a good alternative. Sometimes if I can only get one stand in on state land, I keep the climber in the truck just in case. The first bowkilled buck I ever had was the result of coming into my stand, finding the animal rights people had trashed it ( used bolt cutters to destroy it and left me a nice pamphlet) then went to stand "B" and 20 minutes later had a lifelong memory. If you leave a stand overnight on public land, don't ever assume it will be safe to climb the next morning. I actually don't mind other hunters. I use them to push deer to me. All it means is I'm in earlier and further back. To this day I'm picking up cigarette butts and paper left on the trails I walk every year. Public hunting is just that, it means contact with the general public and sometimes they're more frightening than anything you'll ever find in the woods.