(Not what you are thinking.) It is not even 1 month into the season and I have already had a treestand stolen. I hung it in September and have been waiting for theright time to hunt it and yesterday morning seemed tobe it.I got into the tree and everything was gone. These guys are really good in that they clean up everything when they leave. They cut the cable and take it with them. They take the bow pull up rope and all steps so there is nothing left to litter the woods. That is the 4th in 2 years and if I ever find out who is stealing them it will not be pretty. I know there are dirt bags everywhere but I have never found more than I have on Long Island. Stealing treestands and baiting is rampant here and is it because most of these guys are not willing to do the work on their own and have to cut corners to try to get ahead. Sorry for the rant and it is not meant for the legal hard working hunter. I am just really frustrated and am glad to be leaving for Illinois next week to get away for the bs that goes with hunting here.

Here's what you do:

1. Go out and buy a cuddyback and place it in a spot where you know they wont find it.
2. Make sure that you place it in a spot where it will take good face shots.
3. Using a green piece of construction paper take a black marker and write "Smile you are on cuddyback camera @$$holes" and laminate it with some lamination sheets.
4. hang that near your stand where you know they will see it but wont be blowing around.
5. Demand that all of your stands be returned or you will call the DNR officer or state police!

My buddy did this and busted 3 guys trying to steal his stand. He knew exactly who they were and you could see them trying to cover their faces as they ran! Too late!!! He made one phone call and had 4 of his stands returned after he threatened to prosecute.

I feel your pain. A friend of mine had some stands stolen, so he decided to do a set up wait, well it worked. He watched and photoed 2 guys (20 -22 year old punks)stealing his stand. He waited until they got all the work done and were heading out then confonted them. This was not the best of ideas. He got his stand back and some fustration out but walked with the some sore hands and a bleeding ear. All in all it worked ok. Hasn't had any problems since. He does say that it would of been much smarter to take the photos and proof to the sheriff but felt a lot better soren those hands up and earning a bloody ear.

set up trailcam on route they take going in and out.

DONT put camera near stand or that will be gone also.

this way you will at least know who they are.

people ARE looking for these cameras,they will find them..

this is why we are went to LADDER STANDS,cheap ones from dicks for 49 dollars.

no one will carry them out of woods.

i use plastic boat seat on mine, boy, is it comfortable.