if i dont leave a stand out it also an open invitation for anyone to take over
Thats public property. Its whoever gets there first. It kinda bothers me, when people try to claim public property. If they see you there, first thing they do is come to you while your coming out and tell you they been hunting that spot for 100 years. I look at em, and say, "yep its a good one, I am going to come here more often". If I come in the woods and see a guy in the stand flashing me, first thing I do is turn around and go to a secondary spot.