Two years ago I had five tree stands and a pop up blind stolen from my private property. They are lucky I didn't catch them on a game cam or in the act it would not of been pretty. I think that if some is caught steeling stands it should be a loss of their hunting privileges.

I've come across stands on public lands and it never occured to me that people would steal them. To me hunters are a group that respect each other. This stand had a lock on it which opened my eyes to the fact that my outlook was through rose colored glasses. I agree with T.R. hunter's caught stealing from other hunters should have thier license pulled permanently.

In general I think anyone who steals or damages property should lose their hunting and fishing privileges and also all permits for use of Federal and State land.

It does not surprise me. We know that some people out there on the landscape will take anything that is not tied down, and of course there's people who cut fences, shoot signs and water tanks, etc.

That said, we can't know for a fact that the thief in Chad's and other instances was a hunter. It could as easily have been some delusional "animal rights" activist. Until you know who did it you just can't know much apart from the fact that you've been robbed and you're ticked off.

While I totally agree with the posted comments, please be advised; In Michigan, on CFR, State or Federal lands, you may erect a stand prior to season. I think they're OK now. You have a couple of weeks after season to get them out. In the event that employees or contractors find these in spring or summer, they have to report their locations. After that the landowner or agency will remove them. In the event that I find them, I try to contact the owner before contacting the agency. However, most of the time, the owner's name and address aren't attached. This is another violation.
YooperJack

Actually, Mike, I believe that was Dave, although I've had my own tales of woe with thievin' beotches, and it seems to be getting worse.
Public, private, doesn't seem to matter. If you hang it up, there's someone out there who'll find it and pack it off.
That's why I've pretty much stopped using my $800 dog box in favor of a $50 plastic pet porter when I'm hunting. If I didn't I'm sure I'd come back some morning and find my dog box gone.

i like everybody else had a ladder stand taken off state land in mi.it had 2 locks on it. i guess some poor lowlife needed it more then me i hope he falls out of it.makes you wonder about craigslist and ebay .all these guys that are"clearing out there garage" of the 10 treestands they have

I hunt in central PA, and wish I could hang a few hang on stands. I can't afford the loss. I always carry my climber. I've talked to several hunters in the area that just remove the bottom steps when they leave. I wouldn't dare put a game camera anywhere near public ground that sees any amount of use. I know several people that no longer own them.
Like in any activity that people participate in, there are always a couple from a large group that will bring a bad name to us all.

Umm, nevermind. I didn't look at who was reporting the story -- the Baltimore Sun. Reason to believe that its Gambrills MD. Duh....

Me, my brother, my dad, and my grandpa went posting no hunting and tresspassing signs on our land this weekend and we were amazed at the amount of driving that had been done on our roads. We figured they'd been there for pheasants, but the problem is is that we don't have pheasants on our land. That got me wondering: are people hunting turkeys and/or deer on our land even though they shouldn't be? Also, every deer gun season some idiot is on our land because "they didn't see the signs". Well open your eyes we have our land posted every quarter mile. That's why there is public land.

Nate

Good thoughts Mike (Diehl)! A friend of mine was hunting in the public duck blinds on NPS property operated by the National Park Service off of NC 12 adjacent to Nags Head, NC. One must park in parking areas off of and parallel to NC 12 and wade into the particular duck blind one had drawn. While he was hunting, an animal rights whacko slashed all of his truck tires and left him a scribbled manifesto note on his windshield condemning him for hunting.
My deer hunting friend and I have been fortunate in that no one so far has tampered with or taken our climber stands at his property (small farm).
We have taken down tree stands that were on his property w/out permission, and if the owner comes looking for it my friend will return it along with a friendly warning that he had placed it on private property. He will also show the trespasser where exactly his property is. Most of the time the stands were placed on the edge of my friends property and more often than not it's an honest mistake. He does however inform the person that if he finds it on his property again he will keep the stand.
I just don't understand what's wrong with people. Don't people still teach their kids that if it isn't yours, don't touch it!

These are not hunters stealing hunters equipment. These thieves stealing hunters equipment and they give the majority a bad rep. If I had to guess, I'd say the same stealing stands and other hunters equipment are the same poachers we see the remains of. Taking away their license would do no good because they probably don't use them anyway.

John R,

That is the problem. I'm a police officer in Missouri and property crimes are our worst problem. My parents would have kicked my @$$ if I ever came home with property that didn't belong to me, now I think parents turn a blind eye to this sort of thing. Of course, I'm 38 years old and times have changed, for the worse, mostly.

Jerry