Ladder stand forest

[Rich M]

Tons of threads on this topic.

Down here they give us a couple days to hang it and a couple to pull it.

Anything after that would seem to be illegal and abandoned. Sames as someone dumping trash.

 

[FLS]

I wouldn’t climb in someone else's stand. Don’t need the hassle. Plus I’ve never seen a ladder stand left in what I would consider a really good spot. I hunt a NWR here in SC that allow stands to be left up for the hunt period. They have to be marked with owners name and number. I use the ones left in the woods to help me figure out what areas the deer will avoid after the opener. Its hot down here and they can smell your sweaty ass in that stand long after your gone. I killed multiple deer and a hog last year using other hunters to help funnel deer to me.

 

[cnelk]

On Colorado SWA areas -

7. To build, erect, or establish any permanent structure or to plant any vegetation. Only portable blinds or treestands and steps may be erected by the public on state wildlife areas. No nails may be driven into trees. Portable blinds or tree stands intended for use to hunt any big game or waterfowl during an established season may be erected on state wildlife areas no earlier than 30 days prior to the season in which they are used. All man-made materials used for blinds or tree stands during big game or waterfowl seasons must be removed within 10 days after the end of the season in which they are used. Any other portable blind or tree stand used for any other purpose must be removed at the end of the day in which they are used. The Customer Identification Number of the owner and the date(s) to be used must be displayed on the outside of all portable blinds and on the underside of all tree stands in a readily visible area. However, the erection or placement of any blind or tree stand by any person does not reserve the blind or tree stand for personal use. All such blinds and tree stands remain available for use to the general public on a first come, first-served basis.

 

[wind gypsy]

I agree, the parked truck is not the perfect analogy but it’s a lot closer than “apples to oranges”. Truck or tree stand - both personally owned pieces of equipmen. Leave a stand legally and I expect it to remain unoccupied just like my truck. Leave either illegally and I expect it to be reported, ticketed and/ or towed/removed.
When I park in a public area I know full well that Joe Public can park right next to me or just across the lot. If I left a stand on public hunting land I know full well that Joe Public can put a stand in the next tree over, or sit against the base of the tree my stand is in. I don’t feel like I have claimed the hunting land around my stand just like it doesn’t become my parking lot.
If I go out to hunt and somebody else is in the same location I will steer clear and let them enjoy their hunt, can’t imagine thinking I could run them off because I had a stand in the area. But if they are sitting in my stand I will ask them to please stop using my equipment.

Furthermore, where does the liability fall? If you judge my stand to be safe and climb in who is responsible when the strap breaks? Do you blame me and try to recover medical expenses? Do I blame you for breaking my stand and try to recover damages?

The truck analogy makes sense if everyone had a $300 truck that they park in the public land parking lot and the majority are left there continuously for years, the authorities frequently find it unworth their time to do anything about it because it wont make a dent in the problem, and instead of driving your truck I just decide to sit on the tailgate for a while or climb inside to let a rain shower pass.